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Thomas -- Samuel George Thomas, 80, of Albuquerque, passed away on Monday, December 20, 1999. Sam was born on November 10, 1919, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Following his youth in the Minneapolis area, Sam joined the United States Army in 1941 at the age of 20. During WWII, he spent five years, including two years overseas, in the first Special Service Force outfit of the army. He was also a member of the 82nd and Zia Airborne outfits. Sam was decorated highly for valor in combat, including two Silver Stars and a Purple Heart. During his enlistment in the military, Sam married Adele Housey in Norfolk, Virginia on May 7, 1943. After WWII, Sam and Adele settled in Detroit, Michigan. They ran several successful businesses before moving to Albuquerque in 1951. In 1968, because of an ambitious job opportunity with Dow Chemical, Sam and his family, then consisting of three children, moved to Boulder, Colorado. After thirteen years in charge of security at a nuclear weapons plant, Sam retired in 1981 and settled back in Albuquerque. Sam spent the remaining years of his life enjoying his family, friends at JR's, and the rod and reel. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Adele Thomas; children, Julie Rogers and husband, Howard, Chuck Thomas and wife, Valerie, Jim Thomas and wife, Lorie, and Mike Walker; grandchildren, Zachary Walker, Sam Walker, Sean Thomas, Kathryn Thomas, and Jessica Thomas. Sam will be sorely missed by his family and friends and is a hero and role model to all who knew him. Memorial Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 23, 1999, at the Church of the Risen Savior on Wyoming and Scotts Place. The only species on earth that will not miss this great man are the trout in the lakes of the Southwestern United States. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to the Salvation Army.
        Published on: Wed December 22, 1999