Alan G. Thomas

Alan Gene Thomas, 61, of Arapahoe, NE passed away Thursday, November 7, 2024 at home surrounded by family and caretakers. 

Alan was born February 16, 1963 in Bassett, NE to Ellen and (Jerry) Chan Thomas. He was raised in Ainsworth, NE and attended Ainsworth Public Schools from kindergarten through graduation in 1981. He enjoyed Punt/Pass/Kick in elementary where he won trophies, and participated in football and wrestling in high school. He enjoyed hunting with his dad, Chan. He worked many years for Chet Wilkins who became a father figure to Alan after Chan passed away. He graduated from Southeast Community College at Milford in Diesel Mechanics. He was united in marriage to Suzanne Morgan June 1, 1985 in Cambridge, NE. To this union two children were born, Hollie Jacqueline and Ian Parker. The couple lived in Ainsworth, NE; Jacksonville, FL; Wichita, KS; and Arapahoe. Alan’s careers included farming, selling commercial tires, and working in ag banking. He was a graduate of the Colorado School of Banking in 1999. Alan was united in marriage to Heidi Jones on June 16, 2006 and most recently celebrated their 18-year wedding anniversary. Together they loved to visit their kids, attend local sporting events, share chicken wings, and enjoy time with his family of caretakers. 

Alan was proud of his Sandhills roots. He loved telling stories from times working on the farm, hunting adventures, and all of his most memorable refereeing stories on and off the mat. Alan was a wrestling referee for 16 years and enjoyed the camaraderie shared with coaches and refs. He spoke highly of the Nebraska wrestling community. 

Alan loved being present at his children’s events as they were growing up in the Arapahoe community. Hollie and Ian remember his love for finger drumming in the car while jamming to country music, his enjoyment talking and laughing on the phone with friends, storm chasing, grilling, hunting, taking them fishing and always having the best snacks tucked away that he, of course, thought were hidden. He enjoyed annual family reunions at the Calamus Reservoir and spending time this past summer at the Arapahoe splash pad with his grandson, Nolan.

Though Alan spent many years of his life struggling to overcome neurological diseases, his zest for life, fun and smiling never ceased. As his mobility began to deteriorate, he traded in hunting deer for hunting Bigfoot. He loved his family, friends and chocolate chip cookies. His sense of humor and perfectly timed comebacks will be greatly missed.

Alan was preceded in death by his grandparents Grace and Walter Hazard; grandparents Verne and Glen Thomas; father, (Jerry) Chan Thomas, and his sister, Sherry Thomas. Left to cherish his memory are his mother Ellen (Charlie) Kyser of Ainsworth; mother-in-law Louise Jones of Arapahoe; aunt Edith (Roger) Wentworth of Springview, NE; uncle Terry (Connie) Hazard of Elkhorn, NE; brother Bob (Lori) Thomas of O’Neill, NE and children: Jacob, Miles, and Shelby; daughter Hollie (John) Lepak and grandson Nolan of Papillion, NE; son Ian of Kearney, NE; wife, Heidi, of Arapahoe; stepdaughter Toni (Mike) Lenox of Mesa, AZ and children: Jude, River, Xyla, Evie, and Ellie; stepson Jesse (Hanna) Metzler also of Mesa and children: Finn and Billy; stepson Josh (Mitch) Metzler of Austin, TX; stepson Jeffery Adam of Garden City, KS; and many nieces and nephews. 

 Memorial services were held on Friday, November 29, 2024, at the Hoch Funeral Home in Ainsworth, with Pastor Charles Kieffer officiating. CD selections “Amazing Grace” by Alan Jackson, “It Is Well With My Soul” by Sherry Campbell and “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me were played. A Private Family Inurnment will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the wrestling programs in the Arapahoe-Holbrook Public Schools, or Ainsworth Public Schools. Condolences may be shared online at www.hochfuneralhome.com.