Asa C. Thomas

With his family at his bedside, Asa C. Thomas died peacefully Thursday afternoon, December 15, 2016 at his home in Show Low, Navajo County, Arizona.  He was 85 years old.  Asa was born on Tuesday, July 7, 1931 in Leachville, Mississippi County, Arkansas to his parents, the late Asa Crittenden and Hazel Georgia (Selby) Thomas.Asa was a member of the Leachville High School Graduating Class of 1949.  In 1952, Asa enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Luke Air Force Base, west of Phoenix as a crew chief.  He served honorably for 4 years and, in 1956, received his honorable discharge at the rank of Staff Sergeant.  Asa went to Washington State University in Pullman, Washington where he received his degree in Mechanical Engineering.  While attending WSU, he worked as a janitor sweeping many of the buildings on campus.  He was grateful for the work as it helped him pay his way through college.  Also, during the summer months of his college experience, Asa worked for the Corps of Engineers in Alaska.Throughout his working career, Asa worked in a few places throughout the country.  He worked for Seattle Light (a utilities company) for a period of time.  Later, he went to work, several years, for Boeing as an engineer. Asa then went to work for the government H.U.D. (Housing Urban Development) program as one of its engineers.  While working for H.U.D., he inspected housing projects in Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona.  Asa was involved in the building of many, many homes for the White Mountain Apache Tribe.  He lived several years in Avondale and Tolleson, west of Phoenix.  His work and expertise also gave him the opportunity to work as a member of a National Disaster Team, helping in the rebuilding of hundreds of buildings in dozens of communities following the wake of tornados, hurricanes and floods.  In 1990, Asa retired from H.U.D. and has enjoyed his retirement with his wife of 47 years, Virginia Francis Thomas.   Though they spent many summers in the White Mountains, the couple moved fulltime to Show Low about 5 years ago.  Asa enjoyed all things out-of-doors, and especially loved to go fishing and camping with his family.  He loved all his family and when his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were born, his love for them was magnified, tenfold.  They, in return, loved him too.  His family will miss his kind and gentle ways but are all comforted in knowing that he is at peace.Asa is survived by his wife, Virginia F. Thomas of Show Low, Arizona; 2 children:  Frances (Dale) Faulconer of Vernon, Arizona, Michael (Genyth) Thomas of Tucson, Arizona; a brother, Harold (Carline) Thomas of Little Rock, Arkansas; a sister, Judy Thomas of Goodyear, Arizona; 3 grandchildren:  Sarah Basinger, Cole Faulconer, Michael Thomas; 8 great-grandchildren:  Michelle, Noelle, Preston, Elizabeth, Wyatt, Nathan, Allyson Rose and Bennett.  Asa is survived by many nieces and nephews.  Along with his parents, Asa was preceded in death by 2 brothers:  James Thomas, Roy Thomas and by a sister, Lucy Carnell.Arrangements are being cared for by Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel in Show Low, Arizona.