Del Lavon Thomas

Dec. 29, 1942 — Oct. 8, 2017

Del Lavon Thomas died Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017 at Kachemak Way Assisted Living in Homer. He passed away in his sleep that morning, the family said.

He wished to be cremated, and his ashes on the will be spread in the Kenai River, where we spread his mother’s ashes.

Del was born on Dec. 29, 1942 in Hawthorne, California. He was raised in Anchor Point, Alaska until he moved to California, then returning to Anchorage, Alaska.

Del was an avid Amateur Radio operator having the callsign WL7AKZ. He enjoyed camping and playing with his Ham Radio. Del worked for several years in Anchorage, Alaska at Jim’s Muffler as a mechanic.

In 2009, Del suffered a massive heart attack and two strokes. He checked himself out of the hospital and was told by doctors he had only four days to live. He made them eat their words by surviving another eight years. The doctors simply had no idea how tough Del was.

After his heart attack in 2009, Del moved back to the Homer/Anchor Point area to spend the rest of his remaining years. Del spent the last seven years at Kachemak Way Assisted Living in Homer. The day before his passing, Del and I spent a couple hours at Kharacters in Homer, Alaska enjoying a cold beer, one of his favorite things to do. I am glad we were able to spend that last day enjoying each other’s company. 73 Del is now a “Silent Key.”

He was preceded in death by his father, Delavan Smith Thomas and his mother, Edna Pearl Ryan.

Arrangements were by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.