BURBANK — Richard “Dick” J. Thomas, 78, of Burbank, passed away Monday, January 22, 2024, at Sanford Vermillion Hospital.

Upon his request, there will be no service and his wish was to be cremated.

Dick was born on May 8, 1945, to Merlyn and Ruth (Horsley) Thomas in Huron. He graduated from Huron High School then served in the Army National Guard.

In January of 1981, Dick married Sharyl Lovett in Huron and to this union they brought together five children- Jeffrey, Janet, Charles, Allisen, and April. He was an Engineer for 35 years working for Chicago and Northwestern Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad. He retired in 2006.

Dick’s favorite days were spent surrounded by good friends and family - preferably either fishing or having a toddy around a campfire. Plenty of those days could be found on his many camping years at West Bend in the early years and at Pickstown later on.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Sharyl of 43 years; his children, Jeffrey Thomas of Sioux Falls; Janet (Duane) Deneke of Wessington Springs; Charles (Connie) Lovett of Burbank; Allisen Stirman of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; April (Jeff) Noteboom of Burbank; his sister, Judy (Steven) Glanzer; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; numerous sister-in-laws; brother-in-laws; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Merlyn and Ruth Thomas; nephew, Eric Glanzer; and son-in-law, Danny Hinker.