Daniel Edward Thomas

Daniel Edward Thomas was born to Adrian and Joy (Brown) Thomas on December 6th, 1947, at St. Thomas Hospital in Colby, Kansas. He grew up on a farm East of Atwood, Kansas. He began his education in a one room country schoolhouse and graduated from Atwood High School in 1965. While in high school, Dan played many sports with wrestling being his favorite. Upon graduating high school, Dan was awarded a wrestling scholarship to Kansas State University. During his collegiate wrestling career, he was a member of the varsity wrestling team for three years and a member of Kapa Sigma fraternity, an honor that he shared with his oldest son, Ward.

In 1970, Dan graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science. After graduation, Dan moved back to Atwood and rented a farm belonging to his Great Uncle Art Samson. The property included the locally known Crystal Springs Pond, a well-known swimming hole that the locals enjoyed. During his first year back home, Dan welcomed his oldest son, Ward, into the world on October 15th, 1970. His life as Dad had begun.

Dan both farmed and raised his full blood Simmental herd in the 70’s. In 1979, he was elected State President of Kansas Young Farmers, an organization that he was proud to be a part of and lead.

He married the love of his life, Pamela Bell, on July 30, 1982, and his youngest son, Alex, was born April 18th, 1989. From then on, he was a boy dad and enjoyed every moment of it. He passed down his love of farming and agriculture to Ward and his love of wrestling to Alex. Following Dan and Pam’s marriage they moved to their family farm East of McDonald. Dan began raising certified seed wheat, and in 1984 built his seed cleaning and conditioning business.

In the spring of 2006, Dan and Alex participated in the Kansas Sunflower Games wrestling tournament. Dan took first place in his weight and age group and shared his celebration with Alex who also placed first.

Dan was a very talented man who could be described as a Jack of all trades and a man of quiet strength.

All who knew Dan and Pam will attest they had an uncommon love. They devoted themselves to each other, to their family, and to the farm they both loved. They were determined to age at home and Dan ensured that Pam did, in return, his family ensured that he was able to age at home as well. Dan laid his beloved wife to rest on May 22nd, 2023, and united with her in heaven on May 22, 2025.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Adrian and Joy, granddaughter Hannah Thomas and brother-in-law, Bob Yobaggy.

He is survived by his sons, Ward (Tanya) Thomas of Carl Junction, MO and Alex (Elizibeth) Thomas of McDonald, KS; ten grandchildren, Lucretia (Johnathon) Milbers of Beloit, KS, Ean Thomas and Fiance Qwynn Littrell of Denver, CO, Natalee (Brandon) Jones of Lawrence, KS, Nathan Thomas of Hays, KS, Shiloh Thomas of Joplin, MO, Mario Thomas of Joplin, MO, Gabe Thomas of Carl Junction, MO, Arsen Ernst and Daniel “Jerran” Thomas of McDonald, KS, along with granddaughter Saphira; two great granddaughters, Aira and Ada Milber; sisters, Cindy (Bob) Siegel of Bellaire, TX, Jackie Yobbagy of Edensburg, PA, and Edhelena Bravo of Denver, CO; three nieces Jennifer Siegal of Houston, TX, Lauren Siegal of New York, NY, and Isabella Yobbagy, Pittsburgh, PA.

The viewing will be held at Baalmann Mortuary, Atwood, KS, Friday May 30th, 2025, from 4-6pm, with family receiving visitors at that time. The funeral will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Atwood, KS, on May 31st, 2025, at 10 am with Reverend Richard Schneider officiating.

Interment will follow the service at Fairview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rawlins County HS/JH wrestling program in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com