James Eugene Thomas was born April 28, 1953, the fifth child of Robert H. and Lucile Thomas of Hebron. He passed away at his home in Malcolm on January 5, 2021, at the age of 67.Jim attended Hebron Public Schools. He was very active in the high school wrestling program and graduated in 1971. He went to the University of Nebraska, but returned to Hebron before finishing to work with his dad at Thomas Jewelers. Jim married Rebecca Sell of Chester in November of 1973. The couple made their home in Hebron. The couple had the heartbreak of a stillborn son, and later the joyful blessing of a daughter, Brooke Ann, born in 1977. In July of 1974, Jim suffered severe burns on his legs in a gasoline fire. During his recuperation, he took courses and became a certified gemologist. Jim drove the school bus from 1975-1985. Driving both the regular route and to ball games, many impromptu vocal concerts were held as Jim would sing and the student passengers joined in. He enjoyed the ball game trips to stay involved with school sports. Jim was assistant wrestling coach from 1994-1998. Life doesn’t go as planned, his marriage ended in divorce. 

Jim went back to college to obtain his bachelor of Arts degree in Education at Kearney State. He went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. He was employed at the USDA National Soil Survey Center. While in Lincoln, he met Celia Brooks of Malcolm. The couple married in October of 2010. Jim loved life, his wife, his family, the Cornhuskers, golf, hunting and fishing, music of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s–especially Jethro Tull, and his dogs and cats. He was a rock hound, a computer geek and never passed up a grilled steak, cold beer and time with friends. Jim suffered several strokes, heart attacks, and Cardiomyopathy. He lost the ability to speak, but his deep belly laugh was simply contagious. 

Jim is preceded in death by his stillborn son; parents; brothers, Robert L. and William R. Thomas; three aunts; four uncles; and one cousin. He is survived by his wife, Celia Thomas of Malcolm; daughter, Brooke McCorkle and husband Donnie of Arapahoe; son born between marriages, Andrew Larsen and wife Kandace of Rapid City, S.D. Jim was blessed with five grandchildren, Caitlin, Carrick and Cian McCorkle, Jasmin and Liam Larsen; step-children, Jennifer, Wesley III., Christina and Joseph and their spouses and families including 23 step grandchildren; sisters, Susan and husband Gayle Miller of Howard, Colo., Janet and husband Allen Voss of Carleton, Nancy and husband Gary Hinrichs of Bruning; two aunts, one uncle, nieces, nephews, their families and his large extended family. 
He will be missed.

A private celebration of life is being planned for late April.
Cards, memorials, or memories may given to the family. 

If you wish to send the family a Memorial, please mail them to the address below and we will send them directly to the family.

Alternative Funeral & Cremation Services Attn: James Thomas Family
245 N. 27th Street, Suite B
Lincoln, NE 68503