Robert Thomas

Robert “Bob” Lewis Thomas, age 83, of Fargo, ND, died on Friday, February 19, 2010 at Eventide Lutheran Home in Moorhead, MN. Bob was born on August 31, 1926 on the family farm near Kragnus, MN, the son of Louis and Alvina Thomas. As a child Bob attended country school and North Buffalo Lutheran Church. Bob graduated from Moorhead High School and after graduation joined the US Army in February of 1945. He was sent to the Phillipines and served for a year in Japan as a Military Police Officer. He returned to Moorhead and met and married Rollande “Bea” Brunelle in 1949. They celebrated their 61st anniversary in 2009. Bob attended school in Albany, Missouri and Paris, Texas for jewelry and watch repair. Bob and Bea returned to the area and Bob started his watch repair business in the basement of their home in Moorhead. He later worked for and bought Hale Jewelers in Fargo in 1963. Bob owned the jewelry store for 12 years with his good friend Pete Colehour. In 1975 they retired and sold Hale Jewelers. Bob then went into the heavy construction business building roads and lagoons for the next 10 years. Bob is survived by his wife, Rollande “Bea” of Fargo; his daughter, Pam (Rick) Burchill of Fargo; his sons, Russell (Carin) Thomas of Lakeville, MN; Todd Thomas of Bloomington, MN; and Steve Thomas of Minnetonka, MN; his grandchildren, Stacy Burchill and Pastor Medhat Said Shaker of St. Paul, MN; Julee and Jim Andrews of Fargo; and Will Burchill of Fargo; Tyler and Dylan Thomas of Ames, IA; Kyle Thomas of Bloomington, MN; and one great grandchild, Cody Andrews of Fargo. He is also survived by his brothers, Aubrey (Catherine) Thomas and Wally (Carol) Thomas, both of Moorhead, MN; his sister, Marlys Burkett of Oregon; and several nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Alvina; his brother, Roy Thomas, and sister-in-law, Shirley Wilkerson. VISITATION: one hour prior to the service in the church on Tuesday FUNERAL SERVICE: 11 AM Tuesday at Hope Lutheran Church – North Campus in Fargo BURIAL: Riverside Cemetery in Fargo Arrangements entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo.