David L. Thomas, age 48, of Holton went to be with his Lord on Friday, July 2, 2010. Dave was born on October 18, 1961, in Fremont, to Robert C. and Carol (Armstrong) Thomas and married Michele Delia on October 1, 1983, in Hesperia. He owned and operated Hesperia Auto Repair and was a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians. Dave had a strong faith and was a member of the Lighthouse Community Church in Hesperia. Dave is survived by his lifetime friend/wife Michele of Holton; children, Matthew Lee (Chelsea Marie) Thomas of Holton and Joshua Ryan (Karyn Lynn) Thomas of Fremont; grandchildren, Mikael Allen, Austin Lee, and Owyn Robert Thomas; brothers and sisters, Carla Jo (Donald) Eding of Hesperia, Robert M. (Charlene) Thomas of Hesperia, Douglas L. (Sandra) Thomas of Hesperia, Sherrilee (William) Craner of Hesperia; brothers and sisters in laws, David (Stephanie Elenbaas) Delia of Hesperia, Mark Delia and family of Newaygo, Michael J. (Barb Beekman) Delia of Hesperia, Louise (Casper) Braafhart of Fremont, Theresa Jo Delia of California, and Tony Moon and Family of Saranac; many nieces and nephews; a large church community; and many special friends. Dave was preceded in death by his sister Karan Arleen Walker. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 6, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM with funeral services on Wednesday at 11 AM, all at the Crandell Funeral Home in Fremont with Pastor Bob Collins officiating. For a more lasting memorial, friends are asked to consider the Lighthouse Community Church in Hesperia. Interment will be in Volney Cemetery. Friends are asked to share memories and condolences on-line at crandellfh.com. To all of the Thomas & Delia families The following words have helped me a few times, read them & believe. Darrell & Sally I Do Believe by Jennifer Janiszewski There is nothing I can do, to make him come back There are no words I can say, that can replace he words you long to hear There are no answer's I can give, that will satisfy your questions There is not another soul I can introduce you to that will ever replace his And, there is no love I can offer that will ever replace the love you shared I can not promise your broken heart will ever be complete I will not say it could have been worse I will not deny it was a tragedy I will not lie and tell you he will come back He never really left I do promise he hears you when you speak I will say he loves you no matter the distance I will not deny he is in a better place And, I will not lie; he is waiting to greet you someday He is every you step you take He is in everything you do He is the air you breathe He is every beat of your heart " He is like the wind. You can not see him...but you will always feel him" Posted July 4, 2010 THE LOSS OF A COUSIN My eyes filled with tears as Iheard the news It never occurred to me, how much I could lose I find myself wishing it wasen't real Every time I think About it, pain is all I can feel Tears fall from my eyes, I can barely see But my heart tells me that he'll always be with me I'm glad he feels no pain now-he lives in a perfect land I can still feel the soft touch on my shoulder of his loving hand I lie in bed and cry at night And I don't feel any better in the morning light And I will love and miss him forever Unit the day we are again together Togrther in that perfect place above Filled with caring, sharing and love Butuntil that day comes- Iwill wipe tears away, And hoprfully see him again someday by: Collette N. Alaniz Love you Dave Rick Posted 7/7/2010 I'm very sorry to hear about Dave's passing. I new Dave from high school and he was one of the nicest guys I've ever met. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. William Sorensen Posted 7/7/2010 My prayers and condolences go out to My Aunt Carol and Uncle Bob Thomas and family.. From Diana McMiller Vicki McMiller And mom Mary Jean Thomas Posted 7/7/2010 I joined Dave in a business venture about a year and a half ago. In that short time, Dave became my best friend. I have had friends come and go in my life, including "best friends." Dave was a life-long best friend, and I will miss him sorely. He was also a close friend of my wife, Jean, and my sister, Mary Ann. He was an awesome human being with a huge heart and a sincere desire to help others. I hope I can become just a fraction of the man he was. We love you, Dave! Eric, Jean, Mary Ann Posted 7/7/2010 I was very saddened to hear about Dave leaving us. I got to know him pretty well, as I would visit his shop once a month or so to find out how well our store in Fremont was doing at providing the parts for his customer's vehicles. He was always friendly and pleasant to talk to, and made my day better every time we met. Dave always tried hard to keep his customers happy, and get them back on the road. He will be missed by myself, as well as the team at our store in Fremont. My heart goes out to the family and friends affected by this untimely tragedy. May the Lord provide comfort through the memories and knowledge that Dave was a great man, and very well liked by all who met him. Keith Burchart Posted 7/8/2010 Every time I turn on the faucet, I think of Dave and all the hours he spent fixing the problems with our well. When I get in the car I think of how we needed $1500 worth of work on it and Dave let us make payments. When I'll see the first snowfall this winter, I'll think of Dave and all the times he cleared out the driveway for us. I look out the front slider at his house across the road and think about the time when we had lost power for a few days, Dave ran extension cords across the road, hooked up to his generator, so that Shirlee could have power for her oxygen concentrator. Dave was always there to lend a helping hand. When Shirlee moved in 14 years ago, a single woman with health problems, Dave and the boys he and Michele raised so well, were there to help whenever she needed it. And when Shirlee and I married and I moved her 7 years ago, Dave was the first neighbor I met. He was kind, gracious and a wonderful neighbor. He will be sorely missed by us both. I am reminded of the last verse of a gospel song that goes like this: Soon I will hear the call from Heaven's portals My child come home, it's the last mile you must trod. I'll fall asleep and wake in God's tomorrow, For I'm sheltered in the arms of God. Rest well, Dave. Bill & Shirlee Lewis To be loved is life's greatest treasure To have a wonderful wife, it's greatest joy! H. William Lewis Holton, MI Posted 7/8/2010 Dave came into my life 4 years ago. I met him on Christmas day 2006. He became my father-in-law in 2008 and my childs grandfather in 08. He was like a 2nd father to me. My heart continues to break everyday. He was a wonderful man & friend. I will miss our talks & his advice & most of all his love & hugs. I love you, Dave! I miss you so much! Chelsea Thomas Posted 7/9/2010 My son: Your love has always been so special to your dad and me. It will be so hard to go on without you but you were so ill and the Lord knew you would never battle your cancer and win here on earth so He preformed his miracle and took you home with Him where you would be healed. This does help the pain but my tears are falling as I type this to you. I wanted to tell you to let Karan know how much we missed her also and that we love her as we will love you for all eternity. We know you are at peace with our Lord. We will see you in Heaven my son. Also give Jesus one of your special hugs for us. You live in our hearts with Jesus and Karan. Dad and Mom Posted 7/9/2010 Dearest Thomas Family..... I did not know David.....my brother was a friend of his, Keven McCastle. I lost my brother in December from the devastating Cancer .....I feel your pain and miss Keven everyday. My thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone of you at this difficult time.....Please know that David is now at peace and is no longer hurting. It is hard us on here ......but to know that Keven & David are now Cancer Free eases a little bit of the pain......... Love & Peace to all of you...... Kelly (McCastle) Walker Posted 9/9/2010