In loving memory of
Leonard 'Bud' Thomas
June 4, 1920 - January 5, 2011
Leonard W. 'Bud' Thomas ALEDO, Ill. - Leonard W. BudĀ Thomas, 90, Aledo, Illinois, died on Wednesday, January 5, 2011, at the Aledo Rehab and Health Care Center. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 11, at Fippinger Funeral Home, Aledo. Burial will take place in Hamlet Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, January 10, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to New Kingdom Trail Riders or Antioch Baptist Church. Leonard was born on June 4, 1920, in Whitetail, Montana, the son of Ithel and Margaret Garber Thomas. He graduated from Reynolds High School where he excelled in track and field. He married Frances S. Sparling in Moline, Illinois She died on December 24, 2004. He farmed in the Marston area for many years and owned Bud Thomas Construction Co. He was instrumental in developing soil and water conservation practices and his bulldozing operation constructed numerous ponds, lakes and dams throughout the area. He was awarded the 1984 Mercer County Conser-vation Farmer of the Year. He was a member of the Antioch Baptist Church, the NRA and he was a 50-year member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Associa-tion. He loved to hunt, fish and fly. He is survived by a daughter, Nancy Holle and husband, Michael, of Taylor Ridge; three sons, John Thomas and wife, Joyce, David Thomas and wife, Sarah, and Paul Thomas and wife, Leanne, all of Aledo; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and a sister, Ruth.