Events
Celebration of Life
Larkin Sunset Gardens 1950 E 10600 S (Dimple Dell Rd) Sandy, UT 84092Friday Jan 3, 2025 11:00 AM
William Ferrel Thomas, Jr. - designer, builder, father, brother and friend - sadly passed away while enjoying a recurring hike up Mount Olympus, a place he had grown to love, on December 25, 2024. Known by either “Tom” or “Ferrel” to those close to him, he was born May 21, 1944, to parents William Ferrel Thomas and Mary Louis Andrews Thomas, the second of six children. Inquisitive at even an early age, he mostly enjoyed the outdoors, often finding himself building structures out of discarded materials or taking time to figure out why things worked the way they did. This curiosity manifested itself in later years after he spent two years serving an ecclesiastical mission in the southwestern mountain states. He had the ability to envision making things greater than they presently were. Chief among these is the Eureka Holiday House which he, together with his family, built and transformed into something truly magical, all from a skeletal and deteriorated LDS meeting house. This took place mostly on weekends over a period of nearly a decade, reflecting his perseverance and dedication. His family remarks that these were some of their happiest times together. Professionally, Ferrel’s talents - stemming from his innate curiosity - included most impressively architecture and patent drawing. But his desire to build never left him, even in retirement. From large structures in Colorado to haunted houses in Utah, he was ever-willing to lend a hand, which was one of his greatest virtues. Always up for a “treasure hunt” there was no location he would not search to satisfy his itch to explore, no matter his age in life.
Ferrel is survived by his three children: Clark (Michelle), Tara (Dustin), and Tanya (Scott); 11 grandchildren, Hayden, Dylan, Lily, Atticus (Ashley), Sophia, Olympia, Maximus, Dorian, Finn, Luke, Jack; 2 great-children, Perseus, Cassius. He is also survived by loved siblings Sharon Stoner (Ed), Tamra Lyman (Mark), Kyle Thomas, and Kayleen Thomas. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Doug Thomas and brother-in-law Mark Stoner. All of them will miss his admittedly wild ideas, unique takes on fashion and, most endearingly, his offers to help.
One final note: Earlier we noted that Ferrel passed away on a hike. We offer our special thanks to the kind soul who found - and stayed with him - until emergency services arrived. We owe you a debt of gratitude.
A celebration of Ferrel’s life will be held at Larkin Sunset Gardens 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, Utah 11 a.m. Friday, January 3, 2025.
In lieu of flowers, Ferrel would welcome a donation made to your local food bank.
To watch the service, please click on the tab above that says "Watch Service" or follow this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85382573924
Video
Guestbook/Condolences
My sadness knows no boundaries right now. I loved and admired Ferrel…cousin Tom, and he knew it. His wall hanging, a sculptured farmer holding a shovel and cut from barn wood, was a center of interest at my office as I worked 20 years for the Utah dairy farmers. It now hangs in my home in a prominent spot. Ferrel was so gifted and creative! I love, love that work of wood!
I only wish his last visit could have been longer on that Saturday, December 21, 2024; I was due for picture taking for my 90th birthday. Tom deserved more talk time but he left with a plate of cookies… so my remorse lingers.
Ferrel, thank you for your goodness and kindness. You were a creative genius and your gentle manner will be missed. May you rest in peace.
Uncle Tom as well as countless others put hours and hours of love into The Eureka holiday house. I hope you realize how much joy it really did bring. Speaking on behalf of one of the 27 Thomas grandkids (uncle Toms nieces and nephews) this place held such fun and happy memories of a sliver in time with our family. From a fireman pole that scared me to death to go down, to cubby holes, hiding nooks under ping pong tables, checkerboard tables, or basketball in the gym. I think we often think servicing people is only about giving money but the thousands of hours we’re an huge donation to provide an entire generation of happy memories with cousins in a place of wonderment. Thank you for sharing your craftsmanship as a service to your family and community.
We know Brother Thomas was a great man, because his daughter Tara is a kind, charitable, and amazing person. We send our sincerest love and condolences to the family. May God bless you with peace during this difficult time.
I am a neighbor of Tom, I was only a few homes from his in Cottonwood Coves Mobile Home Park He was a neighbor always willing to help anyone he will be missed My deepest regrets for his family Sincerely Lila
I worked along side Ferrel in Eureka, creating a Grant for the Tintic Mining Museum. I enjoyed working with him and getting to know him. I admired his contributions and was saddened to see him leave the area.
May he rest in peace.