GREAT BEND, NY — Elwood “Tyke” Thomas, 74, of 24600 Bud Lo Drive, Great Bend, died Thursday morning, March 5, 2020, at his home in Great Bend.
Tyke was born Dec. 3, 1945, in Carthage, the son of the late Ellery and Lois (Irwin) Thomas.
He married the former Marlee J. Worden on March 7, 1964 in Herrings.
He was employed by the St. Regis Paper Company/Champion International as a papermaker and truck driver. He retired after 35 years of service in 1999. He was the owner-operator of Bud’s Campgrounds and Trailer Park in Great Bend since 1977.
His wife, Marlee, passed away on June 8, 2013. They enjoyed wintering in Deltona and Zephyrhills, Florida.
His interests included motorcycling, dirt racing and enjoying time spent with his family.
He was an exempt member of the Great Bend Fire Dept. and member of the BPOE Lodge # 1762 in Carthage.
He is survived by his companion, Marie LaVancha of Great Bend; his two sons and their wives; Todd and Tammy Thomas Sr., Carthage, and Tim and April Thomas of Great Bend; his mother, Lois (Irwin) Thomas of West Carthage; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held 6:00 p.m. Monday, March 9, at the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home with Rev. Bruce W. Chapman officiating. Calling hours will precede the memorial service from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday. Burial will be held privately in Hillside Cemetery, Champion, in the spring.
Memorials may be made to the Great Bend Fire Dept., PO Box 182, Great Bend, NY 13643.
To leave a condolence, go to www.bezanillafh.com.