SALT LAKE CITY — Charles Landreth Thomas, Ph.D, 49, died at his home after a courageous fight with melanoma. Thomas was born Dec. 31, 1958, in Parsons, Kan. He welcomed each day with an infectious smile. He enjoyed the outdoors, and was a competitive rower, and an aspiring amateur poet. His hobbies were his children and his research. He passed on the wonders of God through his various teaching endeavors in third and fourth grade religious education, his son’s co-op classes at Eastward Elementary, as a rowing coach, the Jr. Science Symposium, and the Engineering Design Days. He was an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Utah since 1993, after receiving his Ph.D., from Drexel University. He was a supportive faculty member who cared about his students’ successes. He is survived by his wife, Brenda; children, John Paul, 14, Elaina 12, Luke 10, and Zachary, 8; parents, Myra Jean of Florida, and Joe Nelson Thomas of Kansas; brothers, David, California, Bruce (Christy), Neb., Willie (Amy), Florida; sister Maya, Kansas; in-laws, Jane and Herb Morch, Kansas; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. A funeral Mass was celebrated at Saint Catherine of Siena Parish and Newman Center.
Stay Connected With Us