Stephen Lawrence Thomas

Stephen Lawrence Thomas

Stephen Lawrence Thomas died peacefully in the evening of December 8th with his children by his side. He is survived by daughter Staci (Matt) Williamson and son Shane (Roxanne) Thomas; seven of his eight grandchildren, Breanna, Alexander (Mali), Brandon, Holly, Hannah, Katie, four step-grandchildren, Tyler, Patricia, Victoria and Mason and his sister, Victoria “Sissy” (Jack) Trafton.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Ellen Thomas and his beloved grandson, Wesley Thomas.

Steve was born on April 24, 1949 in the small lumber town of McCloud, California in Siskiyou County. His family relocated to Carmichael, California while he was in elementary school. He graduated La Sierra High School in 1967, where he lettered in track and field and football and Steve still holds the La Sierra High School record for pole vaulting. Steve met and married his high school sweetheart, Brenda and remained in close contact with many of his classmates over the years.

Following high school, Steve served in the US Army 82nd Airborne, fighting in Vietnam, earning several medals, including the Bronze Star. Vietnam not only took several of Steve’s childhood friends, but a part of him that never fully came back from the war. 

Following his military service, Steve followed his father Larry’s footsteps, becoming a member of the Operating Engineers Local 3 Union, working for Teichert Construction, first as a heavy equipment operator and ultimately a foreman. In following the family tradition, he proudly took his son Shane under his wing as his apprentice. Steve recently had his 53rd anniversary with the union. 

Steve had a huge heart and an abundance of unconditional love that he learned, mostly from his father and grandmother Minnie Thomas. His family finds comfort in knowing that he is finally at peace and in their arms.

Services will be held at the Old St. Mary’s Chapel at 5251 Front Street in Rocklin on Thursday, January 9th at 10:30 am. The burial will follow at 1:00 pm at the Rocklin Cemetery, located at 4090 Kannasto Street in Rocklin.