Obituary For Orville Harry Wayne Thomas
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Orville Harry Wayne Thomas, resident of Grande Prairie, AB, on Friday, December 31, 2021, at the age of 77 years, from cancer at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital, with his beloved niece Jeanette holding his hand.
Orville was born on October 4th, in the Spirit River Hospital the year it opened in 1944. He passed away at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital the month it opened.
He had many jobs throughout his life; working on the rigs, driving a taxi, driving a water truck, delivery driver, delivering newspapers, and owning a concrete business.
Orville made sure to attend family functions and was the family representative over the years who kept in touch with everyone.
He enjoyed quadding, hunting, golfing, the rodeos, especially being a Sinclair Racing Team supporter, travelling in the motorhome with Judi and Lil Miss Muffy, and playing crib. He played his last game of crib on December 15, 2021, with his niece Jeanette.
Orville made a friend every time he met someone new. He was a proud Legion Member and his friends there were his second family.
Orville is survived by his daughter Anna, and her children Kyle (Aimee) and Forest (Ashton); Kyle’s children Olive, Theo, and Sunday. He is also survived by his daughter Wanda’s children: Megan, Clint and Matthew; Megan’s son Bryson; and Matthew’s sons Benjamin and Gabriel. Orville is also survived by his brothers Roy Thomas and Ken Thomas (Sherry); brother in-law Ted McInnis; along with many nieces and nephews and their families. Orville will especially be missed by his best friend Cliff Mangrove; special friends Phil and Muriel Dupuis; as well as step-grandson Dennis Piepers.
Orville was predeceased by his wife Judi; daughter Wanda; parents Harry and Vera; brother Gordon; sisters: Elsie Thomas, Bernice Harmsen, and Leona Smith; sister in-law Lynn Hoflin; brothers in-law Sandy Smith and Art Harmsen; as well as nephews Carl and Kelvin Loberg.
Orville’s family would like to acknowledge all the support given to Orville by Jeanette and Roy from taking him to Edmonton for his medical appointments, to daily checks in his final few weeks.
A heartfelt thank you to Orville’s nurses in Unit 12 at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital. They showed him respect, care and compassion.
Thank you to Chandelle and Christina at Scotiabank for your care and support during the last year.
Thank you to Sarah from Homecare for your support in the short time you were his nurse, and for getting him to the hospital on December 29th.
Thank you to Legion Branch #54 for your support, and to Brad Lewis for your support and compassion.
As per Orville’s wishes, he has been cremated and there will be no formal service. The family will have a Celebration of Life at a later date.
Memorial Donations in Orville’s memory may be made to the charity of your choice.
Hug your loved ones, Life is short.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Orville Harry Wayne Thomas October 04 1944 December 13 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Grande-Prairie, Province: Alberta