Robert C. Thomas of Kooskia passed away Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2004, from complications of pneumonia. He was 77.
Born Sept. 1, 1927, in Toppenish, Wash., Robert met Caroline Clute while stationed in Seattle with the U.S. Coast Guard. They were married in 1949 and moved to Chicago, where he attended the American Academy of Art. Afterward, they moved to Richland, where Robert worked as a technical artist for 25 years.
At age 50, Robert took early retirement and moved his family to Boise to begin a long and successful career as a Western and wildlife artist. His paintings sold in galleries and art shows around the country, and he traveled the Northwest teaching his unique style to hundreds of workshop students.
After living nine years in Boise, Robert and Caroline built their dream home on Clear Creek near Kooskia. Robert soon began painting murals and became a well-known historical mural artist with artwork around the Northwest and California, including murals in Kooskia and Grangeville.
As a dedicated husband, father and grandfather, Robert had a tender heart, generous nature and keen sense of humor. As an artist, his legacy of art will live on for generations to come.
Robert was preceded in death by siblings Kathleen, Bruce and Don Thomas.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Caroline; three daughters and a son, Debbi Lunz of Camano Island, Wash., Ron Thomas of San Jose, Calif., Tresa Black of Spokane, and Brenda Thomas of Seattle; and five grandchildren.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Trenary Funeral Chapel in Kooskia. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery.
