Earl Ray Thomas

Earl Ray Thomas, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on September 22, 2025, at McKay-Dee Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Earl was born on July 18, 1941, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Earl Nephi and Pearl Leona Thomas. He was the second of six children.

Earl loved spending time outdoors from a young age and particularly enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, and skiing. He was proud to be part of the first graduating class of Highland High School in 1959. Earl served seven years in the Army Reserves as a sergeant and tank commander and was honorably discharged in 1967. After his time in the military, Earl enjoyed racing his ’66 Chevy Chevelle all over Utah. Most notably, he was the 1967 Utah State Champion and Western States Champion at the Bonneville Drag Strip.

After meeting the love of his life in the aisle of the Mayfair Grocery Store, Earl married Laurene Wayman on March 21, 1968, in the Salt Lake City Temple—or, in his words, “traded his racecar for a washing machine.”

Earl had a successful career as a national salesman, earning numerous awards and recognitions for his work. Later in life, Earl enjoyed traveling with his family, watching reruns of Gunsmoke, listening to his extensive record collection, and barbecuing in the backyard. He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout his life and had a deep love for Jesus Christ.

Earl is lovingly remembered by his wife, Laurene; his children, David Chad (Sherri) Thomas, Ryan Earl (Stacey) Thomas, Teresa Ann (Stan) Schafeitel, Melissa Amy Thomas, and Robert Edward Thomas; his grandchildren, Drew, Ali, Jenna, Raef (Eliza), Nicolas, Brynn, Lily, and Beckett; his siblings, Rick (Tamara) Thomas, Esther Martin, and Larry Truesdell; and his mother-in-law, Melba, as well as the rest of the Wayman family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Marion Joy Beckstead, Michael (Darlene) Thomas, Michael Martin, and Becky Truesdell.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 29th at the Fruit Heights 1st Ward Chapel, 901 South Mountain Road, Fruit Heights, Utah. A viewing will be held Sunday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 1941 North Main Street, Farmington, Utah and Monday from 10:00-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services.