David Thomas

David Thomas, 71, of Halfway, OR passed away unexpectedly on January 19, 2025 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Meridian, Idaho. He will be honored with an outdoor Celebration of Life to be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025 - 3:00 p.m. at the Pine Valley Fairgrounds in Halfway, Oregon. 

David Jay Thomas was born on August 20th,1953, in Baker City, Oregon to Derral and Vivian Thomas. He grew up on the Thomas Family Ranch in Halfway, OR where he enjoyed riding horses, working cattle, irrigating, and farming. He graduated from Pine Eagle High School in 1971.

After graduation, David enrolled in Treasure Valley Community College to study ranch management. He quickly found that college did not suit him, so he returned to his hometown to continue working/running his family's ranch for much of his life. In 1972, he and good friend Steve Omann went to Tucson, Arizona to work in a mine.

Around 1974, Derral, David's father, took a herd of 350 cattle down to Covelo, California for a year or so. David went with them to care for and manage the herd. While there, he picked up two wild mustangs that the BLM had caught. David managed to break and train both horses, which he named Ace and  Pocko. When it was time to come home, David decided to bring the horses back. He gave Ace to his brother Carey, and kept Pocko for himself.

David became a part of a pick-up crew for the Panhandle Fair and Rodeo with his father, Derral, and Herschel Jones. David did this for a few years, and it was just one of the many highlights of his life that he would be a part of. He was a member of the Pine Valley Fair Association and the Northwest Rodeo Producers. He worked as a pickup man for the Producers until they sold the bucking stock. David was a big part of the people that made the JR Rodeo, Haines Stampede, and the Baker County Fair and Rodeo. He loved the rodeos and taking care of the bucking stock.

Another of David's many talents was veterinary medicine. He was always helping fellow ranchers when needed. David was never really one to say no to another who needed help and/or an I.V. placed in an animal. David could place an I.V. to handle the issue, whether it was a calf, cow, or horse. Those around him said he was a natural.

David began a new venture in his life as partner in C&T Excavation in February 2001. Not only was he a great business partner, but he was also skilled in many ways with heavy equipment operation and truck driving. He took it upon himself to see to it, that everyone was well fed on the job. David always made sure that a camera was handy for him to take pictures for "photographic evidence", for both work and play, where he earned himself the nickname of "Flash".

His greatest feat was not just his work-related activities, but his exceptional personality and caring character to everyone he encountered. While David never had any biological children of his own, he changed the lives of several as a father. Without David's love and support, the lives of many in our family would've been drastically different.

David was truly kind to many people that were down on their luck. Selflessly giving a helping hand whether it be a place to stay or food to eat. He had a naturally sweet and kind soul, a heart of gold, and a big smile for everyone he met.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Derral and Vivian Thomas, grandparents Carey and Ella Thomas, Robert and Woody Coble, and a niece Michelle Bingham.

David is survived by his sister Rayetta Thomas; brothers Carey (Phyllis) Thomas, John (Cassie) Thomas; nephews Thomas, JD, Derral (Katy) Thomas; nieces Denise, Diana, Denelle, Makenna, Kallee, Elizabeth (Steve) Phillips and Charlotte; his 5 grandkids that were inherited with C&T Excavation from Mack (Angie) Chetwood: Allen, Aaron, Cameron, Kiley, and Coleton Chetwood, along with a host of family and friends who will carry his memory in their hearts.

For those who would like to make a memorial donation in memory of David may do so to either Pine Valley Fair Association and the Northwest Rodeo Producers through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834. Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com