This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marysday Surnames: Thomas, Rust, Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.oregon.counties.lincoln/5241/mb.ashx Message Board Post: The News Times Newport, OR 97365 Posted: Wednesday, Feb 10th, 2010 John Charles Thomas John "Jack" Charles Thomas, 65, of Siletz, Ore., died Jan. 25, 2010 at his home. He was born Dec. 23, 1944 in Riverside, Calif. In 1962, he graduated from Riverside Polytechnic High School. After graduating, he enlisted and spent much of his four years in the U.S. Navy at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland as a meteorologist. He returned to Riverside and attended Riverside City College and then graduated from California State University in Chico. He worked as an auditor for the State of California and a small local agency in Willows, Calif., where he audited dairy farms. He lived for many years in the San Francisco Bay area as an auditor for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where he worked with cities, states and tribal communities across the west. He retired in 2000 at the age of 55 and moved to Siletz, where he enjoyed life in retirement along the Siletz River. He loved history and spent countless hours researching family genealogy and traveling around the U.S. discovering new information, new connections and long lost family members. He was a member of the Lincoln County Genealogical Society, serving as treasurer for many years and giving lectures on a variety of subjects related to genealogical research. He provided one-on-one help to people regarding their family trees, helped survey cemeteries in Lincoln County. He was kind and generous with his time and resources and volunteered for many organizations and efforts, particularly in the Newport area. He is survived by his sister, Pat (Lloyd) Rust of San Diego; brothers, Bill (Marscia) Thomas of Riverside, and Jerry (Eileen) Thomas of San Jacinto, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews. His family and friends will have an open house to celebrate his life at his home in Siletz from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 14. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, 510 NE Harney St., Newport, OR, 97365; Friends of Lincoln County Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 2264, Newport, OR 97365; or Central Coast Humane Society, P.O. Box 71, Newport, OR 97365. Affordable Burial and Cremation in Newport is handling arrangements. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.