John Thomas, 1950-2013
John Thomas and wife, Sallie Shelton Thomas were married nearly 44 years.
John Thomas, 63, of Burbank passed away from cancer on Tuesday, June 4, 2013. John was born January 7, 1950 in Mercer, PA. He moved with his family to Burbank in 1956. He attended Emerson, John Muir and graduated Burbank High School with the Class of 1968. It was at Burbank High School where he met classmate, Sallie Shelton Thomas, and they were married in September 1969.
In addition to his wife, Sallie, he is survived by sons Kory of Ojai, CA and Toby of San Francisco, CA. He leaves behind his siblings, Linda Mays of Greenville, PA, Lee of Stanwood, WA, Raymond of Escondido, CA, Patrick of Sun Valley, Howard of Oak View, CA, Mildred Elliott of Maiden NC and May Pierce of Palo Verde, CA.
John worked at Lockheed for over 38 years and retired in 2007. After retirement, John was able to spend more time doing his favorite activities – fishing and camping across the United States, restoring a 1965 Ford Mustang and lovingly remodeling the family residence in Burbank, CA that he and Sallie purchased in 1975 and have called home for over 38 years. He was a man who could build or repair anything and was always finding unique and perfect solutions to everything he did.
A vocational arts scholarship for a graduating student of Burbank High School will be established in his name. Donations may be made to the Sr. Bulldog Foundation, PO Box 2092, Burbank, CA 91507.
John and Sallie at the Moana Surfrider Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii, January 2010.
His family and friends will miss John for his quiet dignity, his talents and his thoughtfulness. A celebration of life will be held, Saturday, June 15, 2013 at the family residence.
Sallie tells us that she and John met at graduation and were married just under 44 years. We extend our deepest sympathy to Sallie and to her family in their time of loss.
Somewhere beyond this worldly existence is a place where the waters are clear, the seas are calm and the fish are always biting.
Burbank High Class of 1968 
Sally: I was so sorry to read of John’s passing. We were friends all through school, as you and I were going back to kindergarten!! I know you and he had a wonderful marriage. I’m at least glad that you both got to enjoy his retirement for several years. My best to you and yours.
Bill Reimers
Thank you Bill. He was a good man and I miss him.
The committee was missing you when we were planning our last reunion. Hope all is well with you – keep in touch!
[…] High Class of 1968 members that I am aware of are Sallie Shelton Thomas (her husband, classmate John Thomas died June 4, 2013); Roxanne Leko Lewis (her husband Thomas Lewis died October 12, 2013), and Mary […]