Edward "Ed" O. Thomas

After a life richly lived, Edward Oliver Thomas, 87, of Appleton, WI, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 2nd, 2025, at Rivers Bend in Manitowoc.  

He was born in Appleton, WI on May 8th, 1937, to Edward and Melva Thomas at St. Elizabeth Hospital. Ed always loved being outdoors. He was in the Boy Scouts as a child and played in the Drum and Bugle Corps of Appleton with his father and brother Robert. Ed attended Appleton West High School and 3 years at UW Madison before joining the Army. After basic training, he was selected for a special assignment and was sent to the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. He served on Shemya Island from 1959 to 1960 as an Army Security Agent (ASA). He frequently told stories to friends and family about his time on the island, and the dog named Boozer that kept the men company, and we are blessed to have heard him tell them. Ed always hated the cold and frequently talked about how cold it was on Shemya, often comparing it to the weather in Wisconsin. Ed kept in contact with several men that he served with on Shemya for 60 years.

Ed met his perfect match Karen (Paulsen) Thomas in 1962 at a social gathering in Madison, Wisconsin. Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married in 1962 and started a family. Ed and Karen cherished their two children, Edward and Rebecca. They enjoyed spending time at the family cottage in Wautoma any chance they got. When grandchildren/great grandchildren came he was overjoyed to become a grandfather each time and would do anything for his family.  

Ed had a soft spot for their furry family, he ensured that each one lived a full and happy life, no matter how much or how little time he had them. His pets' names were/are: Fritz, Barney, Buddy, Nikki, Logan, Thor, Oscar, Ollie, Chuck, Harry, Trixie, Lulu, Blossom, Tilly, and many grand pets. We are comforted to know that many wagging tails and kisses greeted him at the rainbow bridge.

Ed worked many different jobs until he decided that he loved being his own boss. He owned a carpet store for 9 years with his wife named Abbey Carpet, and several other small local businesses in Appleton, WI. He served as a member of the county board and was always active in local, state, and national politics.  

Ed volunteered for the Salvation Army and American Red Cross for many years. He worked to provide relief in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina and later went to Texas after Hurricane Harvey. Ed also assisted with relief efforts after an ice storm in Missouri, and a flood in Iowa.

Everyone who knew Ed knew how much he loved traveling. He traveled for many reasons, but mainly to build memories with those he loved. He traveled any way he could, be it via motorcycle, bicycle, car, or RV. He founded a chapter of the Dry Riders Motorcycle Club to help improve the image of bikers and went to Sturgis every year for 20 years. Ed was a campground host for many years at various parks around Wisconsin, Texas, and Arizona, but his favorite was Wyalusing State Park in Wisconsin. Ed would spend the winter months visiting family in Arizona with his wife and dogs and having fun with residents at the RV parks where they stayed. Ed was also a dogged historian and spent years tracking down old family documents to map the Thomas family tree. He took a trip with his wife, daughter, and granddaughter to several graveyards in New York for the headstone etchings of relatives who were in the Civil War. Ed was passionate about natural conservation and sprang into action to help the Fox Valley area when Gypsy moths invaded, and he inspired his children and grandchildren to have a deep love and respect for nature.  

Ed will always be remembered for his many passions and having no regrets. We’ll always wish to hear “I love you, be safe” one more time. We will miss Ed every day. His memory, love for life, and adventurous spirit will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him.

Ed has joined his brother Robert (Karen) Thomas, parents Edward W. (Melva) Thomas, and is survived by his wife Karen (Paulsen) Thomas, children Edward (Robin) F. Thomas, Arizona, and Rebecca (Jeffery) Ahrens (Thomas), Appleton, grandchildren Amanda Osborne (Thomas) Sean Osborne, Arizona, Katelyn Ahrens, Appleton, Kendra Thomas, Arizona, Veda Thomas, New York, and Sutton Thomas, Arizona, and great-grandchildren Donovan Osborne and Lincoln Osborne.  

In remembrance of Ed’s desire to make the world a better place, the family asks that you donate to the Salvation Army, your charity of choice, or plant a tree in his honor. Please share any stories you have about Ed; we would love to hear them.

Expressions of sympathy can be made to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com

The Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Pfeffer Funeral Home location, is assisting the family with arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Edward "Ed" O. Thomas, please visit our floral store.