James Eldon Thomas

Our cherished and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family on July 27, 2022, in West Valley City, Utah. He had just celebrated his 93rd birthday.

Born July 7, 1929, in Salt Lake City, Utah, son of James Benjamin and Enid Thomas, he was the oldest of four boys. At a very young age he was taught the value of honesty and hard work while working alongside his family in Bountiful, Utah. He was a graduate of Davis High School and proudly served his country during the Korean Conflict in the United States Army.

James was fortunate to find two loves of his life. He married his first sweetheart Thelma Mackay August 29, 1950, in the Logan Utah Temple, who passed away in 2008. They met at the S&M Skating Rink in Taylorsville, Utah. Together they were the proud parents of 7 children, 27 grandchildren and 52 great-grandchildren. Together they opened and operated the Granger Frostop, J&T Frostop, and Thomas Tire Center. They were fixtures in the Granger business community for over 60 years.

James married his second sweetheart Dorene Cheney in the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple in 2010. With their marriage, 4 sons, 16 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren were added to his treasured family. Together they built a new home where the newly expanded family continued and built new family traditions.

He was a life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and found great joy serving in various church assignments during his life. A jack of all trades, he used his many talents to build a family cabin in Timber Lakes and to help serve his family, friends, neighbors, and community.

An avid bowler, he loved to bowl with his dad, sons, friends, and his sweetheart Dorene. A passionate family man, he loved to spend his time fishing, hunting, traveling and vacationing in their motor home, going on outdoor adventures, snowmobiling, water skiing, playing games and anything that would bring his family closer.

He is survived by wife, Dorene Thomas; children: Linda T. (Steve) Rickards, Colleen T. Howard, Kay T. (Doug) Mecham, James R. (Julie) Thomas, Doug E. (Jeannie) Thomas, Brian K. (Jana) Thomas, Craig D. (David) Thomas, Kevin (Brenda) Jepperson, Richard (Mandy) Jepperson, Justin (Tara) Jepperson, and Daren (Christy) Jepperson; 43 grandchildren; 55 great-grandchildren; brothers: Earl (Joyce), Larry (Coleen), Bruce (Sue) Thomas.

A viewing will be held at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road, on Monday, August 1, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 2, 2022, 11:00 at the Woodview Ward Chapel, 6175 Borax Avenue in Kearns, Utah. There will be a viewing from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the chapel prior to the service. Interment, Valley View Memorial Park.

Friends and family may attend virtually through Zoom at: https://zoom.us/j/96159776461 https://zoom.us/j/96159776461