David Frederick Thomas, 68, a longtime resident of Lake Preston, died unexpectedly on March 31, 2018.
A memorial service will be held at the Badger Cemetery on Tuesday, May 15, at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow at the Badger Legion Hall.
In case of rain, the service will be held at the Badger Legion Hall.
David was born in Lake Preston on Oct. 23, 1949, to Helen and Merrill Thomas. Following his graduation from Lake Preston High School in 1967, he attended St. John’s School of Nursing in Rapid City, where he completed his nurse’s training on May 31, 1970.
On Sept. 28, 1970, David joined the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant.
He went through training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and moved to Dewitt Army Hospital in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, in November, 1970. Following his discharge in September of 1972, he spent time at home in Lake Preston and traveling the United States, including Hawaii. He then took a nursing job in June, 1973, at Kaiser Hospital in San Francisco.
David was motivated, once again, to travel and began a worldwide trek in 1974 through Mexico, El Salvador, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Japan.
He shared his travels with slides, letters, and gifts sent home to his parents, but his adventures also took their toll and he returned home to Lake Preston in November of 1976. He took up residence in South Dakota and eventually made Lake Preston his home again until his death.
David is survived by his three sisters, Barbara (Phil) Robinson, Grace (Steve) Christianson, Renee (Randy) Lundquist, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Merrill Thomas and a niece.
