Vern Aaron Thomas

Vern Aaron Thomas

1926-2023

Vern Aaron Thomas was born at home in Salina, Kansas on June 27, 1926.  He was the son and only child of Guy and Bessie Johnston Thomas.  Vern was a ray of light and optimism to everyone he met and genuinely loved life while always seeing it as a glass half full.  He attended Phillips Grade School and Roosevelt Junior High before graduating from Salina High in 1944.  While attending Kansas State University he ran track and was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.  He graduated with a BS degree in 1949.  After graduation he served in the U.S. Army from 1950 until 1952 stationed primarily at Fort Carson, Colorado, and was part of one of the last groups to be drafted after World War II.  Following his time in the Army he was an engineering technician with the Kansas Department of Transportation working in Salina, Beloit, and Lincoln before transferring to Topeka in 1960.  He enjoyed the KDOT retirees club after his work tenure concluded.

Although Vern called Topeka home, he spent decades helping care for and visit his parents and relatives in Salina.  He loved traveling with family and had many driving trips to both coasts and in Canada.  After retiring in 1987 he began earnest travel and work in his family’s genealogy.  This took him on repeated trips to the upper Midwest, Pennsylvania and Utah.  During these travels, often accompanied by his aunt, Vesta Crowther, they visited many friends and family.  It also allowed him to indulge in his passion for photography which lead to numerous awards for his photographs. 

Much of his interest in genealogy began during his time as a volunteer librarian at the Topeka Genealogical Society.  Vern was extremely generous with his time, energy and knowledge of finding family histories and searching in archives.  He shared his abilities not only with numerous people through the years but with various historical societies in Kansas.  Vern’s induction to the Sons of the American Revolution was a milestone for him.

Vern was also active for many decades in the Topeka bowling community.  He warmly talked about all of the men and women he had as teammates, fellow friends in the various leagues he played, and even in his nineties was truly energized and excited in a young cousin, who looked to Vern for bowling inspiration.  He was a proud member of American Bowling Congress (now USBC).

Vern was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church in Salina (since 1937) and Lowman United Methodist Church in Topeka.  His faith and church community enlarged his life.

Vern was so loved by his family.  He was an only child and never married so his aunts and uncles, cousins and cousins’ children brought him much joy.  Vern was incredibly diligent with corresponding with dozens of relatives spread out across the United States.  He always had an incredible story to tell, and new gadget to share, and had a memory better than most.  His empathy was steadfast without being overt and Vern was always true and strong to himself.  He will be forever missed while bringing smiles and laughter in our memories of him.    

The Family would like to thank the staff of Aldersgate Village in Topeka.  The staff, especially Carl Noyes, have been a lifeline of information and support throughout his final years in residence there and made a tough move within the community during COVID manageable.  Vern cherished his friends and staff there.

Vern left this world on March 27, 2023, at peace with the full life he lived.  A Celebration of Life reception will be held at 10am on Saturday, April 15th at Lowman United Methodist Church, 4101 SW 15th Street in Topeka, Kansas.

A private burial and service will be held by the family at Roselawn Memorial Park in Salina, Kansas. 

Donations can be made in his memory to the Topeka Genealogical Society and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13^th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.