Jerry Thomas

Wasilla resident Jerry Thomas, 69, died in his home June 15, 2011, after a short few months struggling with cancer.

Jerry was born in 1942 in Pellham, Ga., was an Air Force veteran and a resident of Alaska since 1966. He has been in Wasilla since the Cottonwood tree was the city landmark. Jerry was a 27-year retiree from civil service at Elmendorf Air Force Base and later built a business in Meadow Lakes that gave the community the opportunity to become acquainted with this humble man. He served the American Legion Susitna Post No. 35 for a number of years.

His passion was hunting and fishing in this great land he chose as home. He built a cabin on Slide Mountain, where the family and friends will celebrate his impact on their lives. The community is invited to a celebration of his life at 7 p.m., June 29 at American Legion Susitna Post No. 35.

Surviving are his wife, Wanda Thomas; son, Brett Aaron Thomas; stepsons, Geoffrey Bird and Robert Bryant; grandchildren, including Dylan Bryant, Ian Bryant, Meril Bryant and Mackenzie Bryant of Wasilla, and Cody Bird and Corey Bird of Oregon; brothers, Ronny Thomas of Augusta, Ga., J. Kenneth Thomas of Bend, Ore. and Bradley H. Thomas of Bend, Ore.; sister, Ramona Clements of Warner Robins, Ga.; niece, Sheena Cole, studying in Hawaii; nephews, Daryl Clements of Virginia, Todd Clements of Georgia, Dwayne Thomas of Pennsylvania, Derrick Thomas of Georgia, Brandon Thomas of Washington and Anthony Thomas.