RAPID CITY -- John was born April 2, 1963, to Dick and Jean Thomas. John was born and raised in Rapid City. He graduated from Rapid City Central High School in 1981. He married Janet Herber on May 21, 1998. They were blessed with two children, Amber and Weston. John was a shining example of a true friend. It didnt matter if you wore a suit and tie, t-shirt and jeans, or a little league uniform, John offered friendship to everyone. He enjoyed life to the fullest by spending time outdoors hiking, biking, camping, boating, water skiing, snow skiing, hunting, playing softball, and coaching Westons little league baseball team. Johns main focus was in building and sharing relationships with others. John took pride in his work by creating his own masterpieces with his hands through carpentry and landscaping. John celebrated life to its fullest. His greatest joy was his kids. He viewed his greatest accomplishment in life as being a good dad. His greatest gift to his family and friends was that he was an awesome father, son, brother and friend. His philosophy was: Theres always time to make a new friend or to help someone. John trusted Gods plan and would start with a smile and end with, Its gonna all work out. John was a gift to his family and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him. John passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2009, surrounded by his family after a brief battle with cancer. Blessed and grateful to have shared his life are his children, Amber and Weston, and their mother, Janet, all of Rapid City; his parents, Dick and Jean Thomas, Rapid City; three sisters and families, Carol and John, Katelyn and Jacob Hansen, Aurora, CO, Michele and Kevin, Courtney and Ryan Anderson, Scranton, ND, and Laura and Mike Caleb, Reilly and Emma Benson, Summerset; and Lily, his familys black lab. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 16, with a 7 p.m. Christian Wake service, at the Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, July 17, at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Rapid City, with the Rev. David Matzko, S.J., and Msgr. William OConnell officiating. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. at Mount Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for his childrens education (The Amber & Weston Thomas Fund) and may be sent to Black Hills Federal Credit Union. The family is asking anyone wishing to share a special memory of John to bring it for the memory basket, mail to Dick and Jean Thomas, 1115 Milwaukee St., Rapid City, SD 57701, or email to esswellness@ndsupernet.com