My wife Tina, I, and the rest of the family of Wayne Thomas request the presence of the Patriot Guard to honor his service to his country at his final services. The PGR is pleased to be able to attend.
Wayne was a South Bay resident for over 50 years, and a Los Angeles native, who passed away on May 23.
He was born in 1931 in Los Angeles, CA and graduated from Manual Arts High School in 1949, then spent a few months at Paramount Pictures until he decided to enlist in the United States Navy, where he served as an Electronics Technician, Petty Officer Third Class during the Korean War spending two years at sea. Significantly, he was stationed aboard the Mighty Mo – the USS Missouri during her retirement from active service.
After leaving active duty, Wayne was employed by Burroughs Corporation for 32 years, and traveled around the world as a technician for them. He visited places such as England, Japan, New Zealand, India, among others.
Wayne was a voracious reader. At one point, he began studying the English Royals and knew the history and linage of each of the English Kings. He realized he knew more about England than he did the history of the United States and went about correcting that reading many books on U.S. History and each of our presidents.
In the ‘60s, many of Wayne’s friends were members of the Bogus Motorcycle Racing Team and he often had a number of the flat track and scrambler racers hanging out at his house. He was also an excellent VW mechanic and at one point owned approximately nine VW Bugs, including the one used to bring his oldest daughter home from the hospital after her birth. And, while he may not have been a motorcycle rider, he could and did, ride a bicycle backwards while sitting on the handlebars.
After retirement in 1989, he continued traveling abroad with his wife, compiled an extensive family history, and enjoyed spending time with family and visiting with friends at the Torrance Bakery when he wasn’t at a Dodger game. After winning a charity raffle in the late 60s for a pair of season tickets, it was unusual for a season to go by without the Thomas family sitting right above the camera operator behind second base.
Wayne is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lynn; children, Tina Gretzinger-Thomas (John), Terry Thomas (Christy), Traci Thomas and Troy Thomas (Rebecca); 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all are welcome, please see the timetable if you would like to participate.
NOTE: The weather is expected to be warm, so please stay hydrated and don't forget to eat; it can make a difference with your ability to withstand the heat.
Time Table for Friday, 17 Jun 2016:1130 – Stage at Riverside National Cemetery 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 92518 (Staging Area #2 for family, north of Staging Area #8 for PGR)
https://goo.gl/maps/1tMQ4aHbwcS2
1145 – Mission Briefing
1215 – KSU to the assigned shelter for a Flag Line and Military Honors.
R/C John D. GretzingerMAJ, AVN, USA (Ret.)
61st Avn Co (AHC) - Lucky 15
So Cal PGR Mission Ops
jdgretz@gmail.com 818-314-5039
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. Everyone is welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
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