Hurricane, Utah - Harold "Earl" Thomas passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on August 6, 2011.

Earl was born on March 20, 1937 to Helen Elizabeth Owens and Harold Edward Thomas in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He grew up in Downey and Lava Hot Springs, Idaho and attended North Marsh Valley High School where he met and fell in love with Lona LaRue Evans. Earl and Lona were married in the Logan LDS Temple on December 29, 1958 and have five children.

He graduated from the University of Idaho at Moscow with a degree in Chemical Engineering and was hired by Potlatch Pulp and Paper in Lewiston, Idaho, later transferring to California, retiring after 40 years. His greatest loves were family and church service. If he had a hobby, it was taking his family to plays and musicals. He attended all of his kids and grandkids sports, dance, scouting, theater, and school events. He was known to say, "Whatever Lona wants, Lona gets."

Earl served in the LDS Church as a Counselor in several Bishoprics, Bishop in Lewiston, Idaho and LaVerne, California, in the LaVerne California Stake Presidency, President of the Jackson Mississippi Mission, Temple Worker for three years at the St. George LDS Temple, and Patriarch of the Hurricane Utah Stake.

Earl is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lona; and their children: Patti (Michael) Hanks, Jeanette (Brad) Campbell, Traci (David) Christiansen, Evan Earl Thomas (Jill Shoemaker) and Chad Harold Thomas (Tifany Richards). He is also survived by his brother, Ross Martin Thomas (Cheryl Day).

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Hurricane LDS Stake Center, 677 South 700 West, Hurricane, Utah. Visitations will be held Tuesday evening, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Metcalf Hurricane Valley Mortuary located at 140 North Main Street and on Wednesday, prior to services, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel. Interment will follow at the Hurricane City Cemetery. Flowers may be sent to Metcalf Hurricane Valley Mortuary or in lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be made in honor of Earl's love for family fun to the City of Hurricane Splash Pad (435) 635-2811.