EMPORIA, Kan. – Guilford “Gil” Thomas, 90, passed away Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, at Flint Hills Care and Rehab, Emporia, Kan. He was born Aug. 11, 1935, in Auburn, Neb., the son of Everage and Alvina (Thies) Thomas.
Gil grew up on the ancestral farm outside of Nemaha, Neb., and had lived in Elk Creek, Neb., and Reading, Kan., before moving to Osage City, Kan., where he had lived for more than 50 years. He had lived in Emporia for the last two years.
Gil graduated from Peru State College, in Nebraska, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He received his master’s degree from Emporia State University. He served in the Nebraska National Guard from 1957 to 1963. He was a teacher and administrator in Braton Union Consolidated Schools, Douglas County Schools, and Elk Creek High School, in Nebraska, before becoming the industrial arts and business teacher at Reading High School and Melvern High School. During this time, he worked several summers at the Corps of Engineers, at Pomona Lake.
He worked in maintenance at Emporia State University for more than 25 years. After his retirement, he began working at the Osage County Transfer Station.
Gil was a very active member of the Grace Lutheran Church, Osage City, and served many years on the church council. He served a term on the Osage City school board, a term on the Tri-County Special Education Cooperative Board, was a club leader for the Willing Workers 4-H Club, a member of Kiwanis, and delivered Meals On Wheels for 30 years.
On June 30, 1962, Gil was united in marriage to Norma Lee Armstrong, in Auburn, Neb. To this union four children were born, Sarah, Donnita, Larry and Charles.
Gil was preceded in death by his wife, Norma, on Feb. 10, 2023; brother-in-law, Vaughn Thompson; and Norma’s brother and sister-in-law, Glen and Catharine Armstrong.
Gil is survived by his two sons, Larry Thomas, of Emporia, and Charles Thomas and wife, Kristi, of Converse, Texas, and Gil’s granddaughter, Angel Thomas; two daughters, Sarah Thomas and Donnita Thomas, both of Topeka; sister, Marjorie Thompson, Topeka; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at Grace Lutheran Church, Osage City. The family will receive friends 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, at Feltner Funeral Chapel, Lyndon. Burial will be 11 a.m. Thursday in the Nemaha Cemetery, Nemaha, Neb.
Memorial contributions can be made to Grace Lutheran Church, Osage City, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451. Condolences can be left at feltnerfuneralhome.com.
