Elmer "Rick" Frederick Vincent Thon

Elmer Frederick

Services for Elmer Frederick "Rick" Thon, 70, were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, 1992, in the Bader-Peet Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Del Cowley officiating. Burial followed in the Lusk Cemetery.

Thon died Friday, March 13, 1992, in Lakeland, Fla., of leukemia. He was born July 18, 1921, at the family homestead west of Lusk. He was the youngest child of Jalmer and Anna May Armstrong Thon. He grew to young manhood in the Lusk vicinity.

He graduated from Lusk High School as an honor student in the class of 1939. He was a member of the Future Farmers of America and the Wyoming National Guard. He later enlisted in the U. S. Air Force during World War II and served in the North Africa and Italy areas as a sergeant mechanic.

Following his discharge he worked as a draftsman for Shell Oil Company in Casper and Denver, Colo.

On Oct. 7, 1945, he married Helen J. Hines. To this union one son, James Terrell, was born. The family lived in Denver until his retirement from Shell Oil Company.

He then moved to Exeter, Mo., where he purchased a ranch. He later married Betty Jean Wais on May 21, 1974. The couple operated the ranch and raised sheep and registered Hereford and exotic breeds of cattle. He was a member of the Stockman's Association but ill health forced him to abandon the ranching life. He bought a home in Florida and later one in Oklahoma. He was a member of the Elks and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He had many talents. He was skilled carpenter. He played several musical instruments, including violin, organ, guitar and the modern keyboard. He especially enjoyed country and western music. He loved the outdoors and his livestock. He became a member of the First Baptist Church of Lusk at an early age.

He is survived by his wife, Betty of the family home; his son, Terry and wife Mary and three grandsons, Stephen, Jamison (Jack), Patrick Andrew (Drew) of Englewood, Colo.; his brother Johnnie Thon and wife, Margaret, of Lusk and his sister, Vesta Thomas of Lusk. He was laid to rest beside his parents in Lusk.

Bader-Peet Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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