Victor Eugene Thomas Jr., 95, passed away peacefully at home in Wamego, Kansas. on July 20, 2026. He was born February 7, 1931, in Byron, Oklahoma. to Victor Eugene, Sr. and Nadine (Crawford) Thomas.

During childhood his family moved frequently, spending time in Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming and California. After WWII, they spent a year in Guam where his father worked with the US Navy restoring the island’s infrastructure. As a teenager he started high school there. The family returned to California, settling in Lakeport, where Vic graduated from Lakeport High School in 1950. He enlisted in the US Navy, serving during the Korean War, though he spent the majority of his service in the Mediterranean region. After his discharge he attended Chico State College on the GI Bill, earning a BA in art. He married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Davidson, in 1952. This union produced son Marc, and daughter Robbin. They later divorced. He married a fellow art student, Deanna Peterson. They took jobs teaching high school art at Lompoc, California. Another son, Al, and daughter, Dyan Kai, were born to this union, but the couple later divorced. 

Vic then took a job teaching art at Willets, California., where he met his third wife, Eloise Naff. They later moved to Seattle for a year, where their daughter, Karrin, was born. In 1970 they moved to McPherson, Kansas. Vic began teaching art at McPherson Junior High (later Middle School), retiring after 23 years.

After his retirement, he and Eloise moved to Wamego, Kansas., and built a home on rural property they had purchased in 1974. There, Vic remained active, continuing to produce artwork and pursuing his many and varied interests, such as geology, gunsmithing, camping, caving, and other outdoor pursuits. He was an avid reader in many subjects. 

Vic was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Jack Thomas; and a granddaughter, Brooke Edick. 

Survivors include his wife, Eloise, of the home; brother Gary Thomas (Sue) of Enid, Oklahoma; his children Marc Thomas of Kelseyville, California, Robbin Edick (Brad) of Mary’s Home, Missouri, Al Thomas, Dyan Thomas, Karrin Huhmann (Brad) of Kansas City; two grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life is planned for later in the year, but no date has been set.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Croix Hospice or Riley County Humane Society.

Condolences for the family may be sent in care of Irvin Parkview Funeral Home at 1317 Poyntz Ave, Manhattan, KS 66502. www.irvinparkview.com