"wow. I just read an email from another HOBY friend and realized what had happened... Brandon was my sefa at HOBY in 2005 and he was an amazing person even in the one week I knew him. he was always there for everyone , during the seminar and afterwards. He will be missed terribly... im so sorry for your loss. :( -Jacquelin Schnurr"
In loving memory of
Brandon Lee Thomas
June 4, 1983 - June 26, 2006
Brandon L. Thomas, age 23 of Lake Mills, formerly of Forest City, died Monday, June 26, 2006 at his home in Lake MIlls. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, June 30th at 10:30 AM at the First Baptist Church in Forest City with Pastor Larry Kidwell officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery in Forest City. Visitation will be Thursday, June 29 from 4 to 7 PM at the funeral home and an hour prior to service at the church.
Brandon Lee Thomas (better known to his friends as ìBLTî) was born on June 4, 1983 in Hampton, IA, the son of Gary and Lori (Curtis) Thomas.
Brandon attended K-9 at the Forest City Christian School and graduated with honors from Forest City High School in 2002. He was a 2005 graduate of Waldorf College in Forest City with business degrees in marketing and management. Brandon was on staff with Campus Crusade for ChristÃs High School ministry, Student Venture. He was in the process of raising monthly support where eventually he would arrive at his assignment, working in their International Ministries Department based in Orlando, Florida. Brandon was planning to be married August 26, 2006 to Elizabeth ìLizî Wellendorf in Lexington, IL.
Brandon was a very energetic, funny, and caring young man whose passion was to serve Jesus Christ. Brandon was definitely set apart by God to do His work having given his life to the Lord at the young age of 4. He was baptized at First Baptist Church in Forest City in May 2005. In high school he won the Hugh OÃBrien Youth Leadership Scholarship as a sophomore in 2000, and had continued to work as a volunteer with HOBY every year since with a heart to minister to youth. Brandon died at his home in Lake Mills on June 26, 2006, due to complications of asthma.
Brandon will be greatly missed by his beloved wife to be, Elizabeth Wellendorf, Lake Mills: his parents Gary Thomas, Lake Mills and Lori Thomas, Clear Lake; his brother Chris Thomas and sister Arianna Thomas, both of Clear Lake; his aunt and uncle Hope and Curt Enerson, York, PA; cousins Caleb and Brittni Enerson, York, PA; his best friend Sam Missal, Forest City; his grandparents Glen and Henrietta Curtis, Forsyth, MO, Kevin and Elizabeth Knaap, Fredricksburg, VA, James and Beverly Thomas, Mason City, Iowa and the entire Wellendorf Family, David, Carol, Rebekah, Jessica, Christine, Christopher, Nathan and Hannah.
Tributes
"My heart and prayers go out to Brandon's family and friends. He was certainly well loved in the HOBY family. My first year with Iowa HOBY was the year Brandon arrived as an abassador. He touched so many lives as a staff member and I will always remember his energy and positive attitude."
"Oh my God...life isn't fair sometimes. Brandon was one of the kindest and sweetest people I have ever met. I couldn't go to HOBY this year and it makes me sad every day, but now I am devestated not to have gotten the chance to see him oneee more time. He was so nice to me, especially when I was just starting out as a JUFA two summers ago and was having a little bit of a rough time. He even kept talking to me throughout the seminar...he's such a great person. He's going to be missed so terribly. Liz, if and when you read this, I'm not going to say I'm sorry and I know it's hard, words can't express my sympathy. You lost one of the finest guys I've ever known--you are truly blessed to have him care about you so much. God will be with you, even when we think he's not. If anyone's in heaven, Brandon "