1952-2026
G. Norman Thomas 74, was born January 5, 1952, in Denver, Colorado. He passed away Sunday, July 12, 2026, after a fall at home, at Unity Point-Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines, Iowa.
Norman graduated from Creston High School in 1970. He then went on to Southwestern Community College in Creston for two years and another two years at Northwest Missouri State University, receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in 1974. Norman worked in maintenance for the West Des Moines school system for over 20 years. He then continued his career in maintenance for the Guthrie County Hospital, Guthrie Center, Iowa. He retired in his mid sixties and enjoyed spending time with family and friends, staying busy with his church and local community. He married former college-sweetheart Melody Ann Johnson in 2004.
Norm enjoyed attending all his step-daughters’ school activities and was a huge Iowa Hawkeye fan. He was a very active member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Guthrie Center and was a former member of the Casey Volunteer Fire Dept.
Norman is survived by his wife, Melody Thomas of Yale; brother, Michael Thomas of Des Moines; sister, Mary (Eric) Hovelson of Clive; step-daughters, Marcia (Kevin) Johnson of Des Moines; Danielle (Dustin) Evans of Linden; Rachel Johnson of Ames; and Christina (Xavier) Johnson of Las Vegas; 5 grandchildren: Kailee Trotter and daughter Beverly; Garrett Johnson, Brooklyn Evans; Eli and Ivan Martinez. Niece, Emily (David) McCullough and daughter Mariella of Coralville; Nephew, Nicholas Howard (Janea) of Colorado Springs, Co.; Four Great Nieces, Ariel Howard and daughter, Nancy Howard, Kristin Pettinari and family; Evelyn Howard (Cody) and family; three Great Nephews, Nicholas Howard, Samuel Howard, and Gavin Holt.
He was preceded in death by his mother Nancy Jane Bauman and step-father Harold, brother Samuel Howard, and a niece Brooklyn Howard.
Graveside services will be 11:30 A.M., Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at the Malvern Cemetery, Malvern, Iowa. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, July 25, 2026 at the First Christian Church Fellowship Building, Guthrie Center, Iowa, with a light meal served.
Norman was a great son, brother, uncle, step-father, grandfather and friend. He will be missed by all of us.
Twigg Funeral Home, Panora, is entrusted with his services.
