Jeffrey Alan Thomas, age 58, of Tucson, Arizona, died Sunday morning, July 25, 2010, at his home following a courageous battle with cancer.
Jeff was born in Ironton, Ohio on March 29, 1952 and graduated from Ashland High School in 1970. Jeff worked for 26 years as a Journeyman Welder for the Magma Copper Company of San Manuel, Arizona. After the shutdown of the mine, he worked for Pulte Homes and at the time of his death was a conductor for the Union-Pacific Railroad.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Becky (Abrams) Thomas aka “Turquoise Tess”; his daughters Wendy (Joseph) Henderson, Chrystal (Chad Hansen) Hood and Megan (Branden) Wilson; five grandchildren: Austin and Cameron Henderson, Ashley and Charlie Hood and Mckaiden Wilson. He is also survived by his mother, Ireene Thomas, of Ashland, Ohio and his brother, James (Darcy) Thomas, of Iowa City, Iowa; in-laws Gaylord and Kathryn Abrams; sisters-in-law: Becky Mayer, Susie Boyer, Patty (Paul) Becker, Terri (John) Huntley and Gayle (Jamie) Thompson, all of Ashland, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his father, James E. Thomas, of Ashland, Ohio and uncle Ed Tolbert, of West Virginia.
Jeff “JT Pilage” was a long-time member of SASS (Single Action Shooting Society), a member of Old Pueblo Lapidary Club of Tucson, AZ and an avid hunter. He served seven years in the Army National Guard with the rank of Sergeant.
Memorial contributions may be made in Jeff’s name to the American Cancer Society. To leave an online condolence to the family please visit
