Neil Thomas, 92, of Springfield

Funeral services are 2 PM, Wednesday, April 10, 2019 at the United Church of Christ in Springfield wit Rev. Dr. Nelson Stone officiating. Burial is in the Springfield Cemetery, rural Springfield, with military honors. Visitation is Tuesday from 5 to 7 PM at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Springfield.

Neil O. Thomas was born October 10, 1926 on a farm just west of Springfield, South Dakota. He was the fifth child born to Sampson and Ladie (Boyd) Thomas. Neil attended Niles School, Dist. 39 for his elementary education. His parents then kept him home for a year to work on the farm before attending Springfield High School. He would have graduated from Springfield High School in May of 1944 but the army called and he was drafted to serve in World War II.
Neil was inducted into the U.S. Army in December of 1944. He took his basic training at Camp Walter near Dallas, TX. Following advanced training he was stationed in Hawaii where he was assigned to the 16th Coast Artillery Regiment of the U.S. Army, Battery B, 97th AAA Gun Division. Neil obtained the rank of Private First Class and received the American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and Victory Ribbon. Following an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, he returned to Springfield to farm with his father.
On June 8, 1947, Neil married the love of his life, Doris Guptill. The couple moved a house onto the farm next door to Sampson and Ladie. Neil farmed with his father while Doris taught school. They had 3 children, Patricia (Patty), Raymond (Ray), and Mary. Once the children arrived Doris became a full-time, stay at home mom and farmer's wife. Together Neil and Doris were active as 4-H leaders.
Neil and his father raised pure-bred Poland China hogs and Polled Hereford cattle. Neil was also active with American Legion, Farm Bureau, the Soil Conservation Service, and the Springfield Co-Op. In addition to farming, Neil worked at Kolberg's Welding for a time and he helped with building a bridge over Emmanuel Creek. He always found time to help friends with welding or building projects. He remodeled the family home and helped others with various remodeling projects.
Neil was named the Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year many years ago. The couple lived on the farm until 1990, when they retired and moved into a house they had built in town.
For several years Neil and Doris enjoyed being snow birds in Texas where he and his brother Clark kept busy helping those in their trailer park with needed household repairs while their wives did sewing projects.
Neil and Doris were active in the Springfield United Church of Christ. Neil served as a Trustee. He served a term on the Springfield City Council, volunteered at the Dakota Senior Meals program, and was custodian of Springfield Cemetery.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife of 72 years, Doris Thomas of Springfield; son, Raymond (Trisha) Thomas of Springfield; and daughters, Pat (Michael Macy) Beeman of East Wenatchee, WA; and Mary (Arden) Boersma of Gibsonia, PA; 5 grandchildren: Major Dana (Edith) Thomas of Afghanistan and California, Corey (Hahn) Thomas of Aurora, CO, Debbie (Ryan) Pixton of Gibsonia, PA, Scott Boersma of Mancos, CO, and Brian Thomas of Lincoln, NE; 6 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Alicia Thomas and partner Judy O'donoghue of Mesa, AZ and Eleanor Toyne of Springfield.
Neil died on April 7, 2019 in his home surrounded by his loving family and help from Avera @Home. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, David and Clark Thomas.