Yuma County, Colorado
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Yuma County Pioneer Photographs:

Albert C. and Gladys Thomas , 1N 45W



ALBERT'S FAMILY

In 1880 Pottawattamie County, Kansas, John Thomas is 50, Eliza A. Thomas 47 Wife, Charles E. Thomas 19 Son, David S. Thomas 17 Son, John H. Thomas 15 Son, William May Thomas 13 Son, Clarence A. Thomass 11 Son, F. A. Thomas 8 Daughter, E. A. Thomas 6 Daughter, and H. A. Thomas 2 Daughter.

Eliza Ann Taylor Thomas BIRTH 24 Mar 1833 Sussex County, Delaware, USA DEATH 16 May 1897 Onaga, Pottawatomie County, Kansas, USA BURIAL Onaga Cemetery Onaga, Pottawatomie County, Kansas, USA PLOT Block 3, Lot 24, Grave 4 MEMORIAL ID 8936512.
"The following, with the husband and father survive her: Mary A., widow of the late J. F. Gibson, Eliza J., wife of Geo. W. Degraw, Chas. E., David S., John W., Wm. E., Albert C, Emma and Hattie. The surviving children were all present at her death except David S. who lives in Colorado, and Emma, who was in Indiana and could not reach home before her death or funeral."

John Thomas BIRTH 25 Dec 1829 Warren County, Indiana, USA DEATH 4 Aug 1904 Pottawatomie County, Kansas, USA BURIAL Onaga Cemetery Onaga, Pottawatomie County, Kansas, USA PLOT Block 3, Lot 24, Grave 3 MEMORIAL ID 13153700.

In 1910 Yuma County, Clarence Thomas is a farm laborer, 40, born in Indiana, Gladys Thomas 19 Wife.

March 3, 1911 "Mr. and Mrs. Albert Thomas, who reside about seventeen miles west of Wray, are rejoicing over a baby boy that arrived at their home the first of the week."


Albert proved up two quarters in Section 35 1N 45 W and section 1, 1S 45W in 1914.
"David S. Thomas and Walter Peveler, both of Wray, Colorado; Bert Funkhauser and Herman Anderson, both of Vernon, Colorado."

1919
In 1910 Yuma County, "Clarence" is 40, Gladys 19, married one year.

Albert filed for land in 35, 1N 45W in 1914, witnesses including David S. Thomas.
In 1920 Yuma County, Albert is 49, Gladys 25, Illinois, Mildred 8, Robert 6, May 4, and Verna eighteen months, all four kids born in Colorado.
In 1930 Wray, Albert C. is 60, Gladys 35, with Mildred 19, Robert F. 16, May 14, Velma 11, and Iven D. 7.

May 1927 " A. C. Thomas and daughter Mildred were in Wray Saturday."

In 1930 Yuma County, Albert C. Thomas is 60, Gladys A. Thomas 38 Wife, Mildred M. Thomas 19 Daughter, Robert T. Thomas 16 Son, May R. Thomas 14 Daughter, Velma B. Thomas 11 Daughter, and Iven D. Thomas 7 Son.

March 1, 1934 "A. C. Thomas, farmer residing southwest of Wray a few miles died Wednesday night. He was 64 years old and had been in failing health. As we go to press Thursday morning funeral arrangements have not been completed. An obituary notice will be printed next week."


In 1937, living at 346 9th street in Wray, Gladys has Robert, May, Velma, Violet, and Ivan.

In 1940 Weld County, Gladys is widowed, 48, with Ivan 17 and Violet 8. All were in Yuma County in 1935.

MILDRED

Mildred Thomas married Cecil P. Rooker December 16, 1933, recorded in Yuma County.
December 1933 "Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lurking and two sons, Wilfred and William, were entertained Saturday evening at the James Thomas home, the occasion being complimentary to Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Rooker who were married Saturday. Mrs. Rooker was formerly Miss Mildred Thomas. "

August 1937 " Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Rooker and two children of Cawker City, Kan., visited from Wednesday until Monday with Mrs. Gladys Thomas and family. Mrs. Rooker was formerly Miss Mildred Thomas. "

Cecil Rooker, born Mar 4, 1909, died July 1987, last residence Stockton, Rooks County, Kansas.

Cecil Rooker, 78, Stockton, died Saturday, July 4, 1987 at his home. Mr. Rooker was born March 4, 1909, at Glen Elder. He had been a resident of Stockton since 1957, moving from Russell. He was a laborer at farms, lumber yards and oilfields. He was a veteran of World War II. He was a member of the American Legion of Russell and Stockton.

Survivors include his wife, Mildred of the home; three sons, Fred of Stockton, Robert of Denver and Lester "Boyd" of Norfolk, Va.; three daughters, Betty Young of Wichita, and Fern Mattheyer and Dorothy James, both of WaKeeney; two brothers, Wayne of Republic and Orva of Hunter; a sister, Elizabeth Sackhoff of Colorado Springs, Colo.; 16 grandchildren; and 15 great- grandchildren.

The funeral will be 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Smith-Moore Funeral Home, Stockton, the Rev. Mel Shepherd officiating. A service will be 4 p.m. Monday at the Athens Cemetery, Ionia. Visitation is at the funeral home until service time.
Cecil is buried in Jewell County, Kansas # 40304266.
So is Mildred Ann Rooker 1911-1991 # 40304270
Mildred Ann Rooker, 80, WaKeeney, died Saturday, March 16, 1991, at the Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, WaKeeney. Mrs. Rooker was born Mildred Ann Thomas on Feb. 16, 1911, at Wray, Colo., and had been a WaKeeney resident for years, moving from Stockton.
She was a homemaker and attended the Christian Church in Stockton and Ogallah. Her husband, Cecil P., died in 1987. Survivors include three sons, Fred of Stockton, Robert of Denver and Boyd of Virginia Beach, Va.; three daughters, Betty Young of Wichita and Fern Mattheyer and-Dorothy James, both of WaKeeney; three sisters, May Stevens of Denver, Velma Gordan of Douglas, Wyo., and Violet Carriker of Port Ortord, Ore.; 15 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. today at the Ogallah Christian Church, the Rev. Wayne L. Lofton officiating. Burial will be at 3:30 p.m. today at Athens Cemetery, Ionia. Memorials may be made to the Trego County Hospital Memorial Fund. The Morell Funeral Home, WaKeeney, is in charge of arrangements.
"Albert married Gladys Irene Jane BURTON on 22 Apr 1909 in Westmoreland, KS. Gladys was born on 6 Aug 1891 in Chicago, Cook Co., IL, died on 25 Feb 1974 in El Cajon Valley, CA, at age 82, and was buried in Greenwood Memorial Park, San Diego, CA."
Robert F. Thomas, born May 8, 1913, mother's name Burton, died Nov 13, 1961 in San Diego County, California.
He served in the 152nd Port Co, TC, US ARMY 1942-1945.
FindAGrave # 3435290 has him buried in Fort Rosecrans National, San Diego
His widow was Mrs. Ella Thomas of Vista, California,
May Ruth Thomas, born Sept 21, 1915, married Robert Murry Mitchell Sept 10, 1940, per one tree, and died July 18, 1999.
"May Ruth Thomas Stevens of Federal Heights, a retired Gates Rubber Co. employee, died July 18, 1999 at Elms Haven Nursing Home. She was 83. Graveside services were Wednesday in Highland Cemetery. She was born Sept. 21, 1915, in Wray. In January 1974, she married Albert Stevens in Denver. He preceded her in death. She is survived by two sisters, Velma Gordon, Douglas, Wyo., and Violet Carriker, Coos Bay, Ore. "

VELMA BELLE

August 12, 1937 "Miss Velma Belle Thomas became the bride of Mr. Laßoy Gordon Saturday evening at a pretty home wedding. Judge Barker performed the ceremony. The bride wore a dress of blue organdie with white accessories and the groom wore a wine colored business suit. The house was tastefully decorated in pink and white. Robert and Mary Thomas, brother and sister of the bride attended the bride and groonl. Following the ceremony a buffet supper was served. The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Gladys Thomas. She has always lived here and she attended the local high school. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Shed Gordon, also of Wray. The following were present: Mr. and Mrs. Shed Gordon and Eugene, Mr. and Mrs. Del Mclrwin and Martha, Mr. and Mrs. Guy Gordon and Norman, Mrs. Perry Mclrvln, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Devers of Trenton, Neb., Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Rooker and children and Miss Elizabeth Rooker of Cawker City, Kan., Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Chalmers and Ella May of Denver. The newlyweds will make their home on the Frank Mjller farm east of town where they are employed. "

September 1937 "Mrs. Velma Gordon, who lives on the Frank Miller place east of Wray, proved herself much braver than the legendary Miss Muffitt last week when she came across a large spider while cleaning one ofthe sheds on that farm. Instead of being frightened away, as Miss Miffit was, she took the situation in hand and placed the spider, which wasabout the size of a hazelnut, a captive in a jar. Ivan Thomas, brother of Mrs. Gordon, brought the specimen to the Gazette office for the window on Saturday, very much alive and growing fat and ia2y on its diet of flies, but the association with printers was too much for the spider and on Monday morning it was found dead."


No funeral services for Velma Belle Gordon, 94, will be held per her request.
Velma Gordon died Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at Shepherd of the Valley Care Center in Casper, Wyoming.
She was born June 21, 1918, to Albert Clarence and Gladys Irene (Burton) Thomas in Wray, Colo.
She was married to LaRoy Marvin Gordon on Aug. 7, 1937.
Velma worked for a number of years as a nurse’s aide at the Converse County Hospital in Douglas and as a school crossing guard for Converse County School District #1. She was a member of TOPS for 35 years and a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
She is survived by her two children LaVella (David) Squires of Neenah, Wis., and Roy T. (Jan) Gordon of Douglas; sister Violet Carriker of North Port, Ore.; grandchildren Carl Squires and Dennis Squires, both of Wisconsin, Jacki Bonham and Dorothy Jean Callen, both of California, Cheryl Lasher of Denver, Rob Mitchell of Laramie and Debbie Kornegay of Glendo; 16 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 69 years, Roy, on Feb. 26, 2007; siblings Robert, Ivan, Mildred and Mary; grandson Bradley Squires; and great-grandson Jeremiah Bonham.
FindaGrave 94951730
Thanks to Jim Thomas for the real story of Ivan Dale Thomas !
Ivan Dale Thomas, born August 12, 1922 in Wray, Colorado, married Virginia Alberta Cooper, born February 26, 1921, in Little River, Kansas. It is unknown when their wedding date was. (Jim added that they were married in 1942, but the exact date was currently unknown.)

Ivan and Virginia's children were Ellen (dob 4-12-43), Milton (2-04-47), Ethel (8-24-50), Everett (9-28-52), Estol (9-25-54), and James (12-23-55). All of the children are still alive. After the military, Ivan worked as a farm laborer. At some unknown point in time, Ivan was offered a job by Boeing Aircraft in Wichita. Virginia, already having some children, didn't want to move to the city. Ivan succumbed to her wishes and declined the job offer.

Declining this job offer evidently proved to have a negative effect on Ivan. His oldest daughter Ellen, at a later time, recalled that his declining that job offer ate away at him and eventually, he left the family in 1955 and went to the state of Washington. He left without knowing that Virginia was pregnant with their sixth child (James). It was learned 13 years later that Ivan, now known as John Fourn, had went to the state of Washington and illegally changed his name and started another family. He had managed to keep quiet to his second wife for 13 years that he had a family in Kansas. Something happened that his wife in Washington learned he had another wife and family and demanded he get a divorce. Thus, he contacted Virginia after 13 years of missing for that very reason. In 1955 when he first went missing, Virginia had the Navy and the Social Security Administation seach for him. After a one year search came up with no results, both the Navy and the Social Security Administration granted Virginia his government pension and his Social Security benefits. After he reappeared 13 years later requesting a divorce, Virginia was advised by legal counsel to reverse the suit and file divorce charges against him. The matter was brought to the attention of the Navy and the Social Security Administation. Without knowing any of the details of what transpired, the Navy and the Social Security Administration were to deal with Ivan (aka John Fourn) on two counts: paid out benefits and illegally changing his name.
It is unknown exactly where Ivan lived in Washington or if he is still living to this day.
"

Violet Chloe THOMAS was born on 31 Mar 1932 in Wray, Yuma Co., CO. Violet C. Minor married William Edward CARRIKER on 28 Sep 1959 in Clark County, Nevada.
William Edward Carriker, spouse Violet, born 1924, died 1993 in Curry County, Oregon.
Violet was still alive in 2012, per Velma's obituary.


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