Obituary of Richard “Richie” Andrew Thomas
Richard (Richie) Andrew Thomas, 50, of Cave In Rock, IL passed away on June 18th, 2019 at 6:20 a.m. Richie, as he was known, was born on May 6th, 1969 in Rosiclare, IL to Marvin and Janice Thomas.
He is survived by both parents, Marvin and Janice Thomas of Cave In Rock, IL; his wife, Helen; two brothers, Rickie (Beverly) Thomas and Joshua (Heather) Thomas, both of Cave In Rock, IL. He also is survived and leaves to mourn the loves of his life, his six children and four grandchildren. Children: Drew Thomas of Denver, Colorado; Drake Thomas of Cave In Rock, Illinois; Daci (Damon) Gilbert of Mayfield, Kentucky; Arika (Chris) Smith of Elizabethtown, Illinois; Desteni Thomas and future son-in-law Brandon Fricker of Elizabethtown, Illinois; and Chanceler Thomas of Rosiclare, Illinois. Richie was blessed with four beautiful grandchildren, Austin Thomas, Brooklyn Smith, and Lily and Mila Gilbert. He also leaves to mourn a very dear friend, Carol Henry, many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nephew and Nieces, and a Host of Friends.
He was preceded in death by his brother, David; both sets of grandparents, Jack and Martha Thomas and Richard Milligan and Freda Mathews; Uncles Phillip and Harold Thomas, Terry Dutton, Larry Gibbons, and DeWayne Mathews; Cousins Danny Thomas and Anna Dutton.
Richie was born and raised in Hardin County and attended Hardin County Schools. He was the happiest when he was out in nature. He loved living on top of Deli Hill and Hardin County and spent many hours riding horses, hunting, fishing, hiking, camping and just spending time with the ones he loved. Richie loved to draw and passed on this artistic ability to his children. He loved his Harley and loved to ride and just enjoyed the beauty of God’s creation.
On April 9th, 1988, Richie married Ronda Hobbs in Marion, KY. This union was blessed with four of his children, Drew, Drake, Daci, and Desteni. On November 6th, 2003, Richie married Helen Barrnett and he was blessed with a daughter, Arika, and last but definitely not least, his little buddy, Chanceler, was born in 2005. With this union, Richie and Helen had six children and four grandchildren.
Richie worked as a welder to provide for his family. He worked until he was no longer able when cancer took a toll on his health. Richie was a loving, caring, kind hearted man with a gentle soul. He was always willing to help someone in need or just lend a helping hand. Richie turned his life over to the Lord in early 2017. He is deeply loved and will be sadly missed by all of his family and friends.
Written by his Aunt Sheila Shelby.
One of the people that you meet and feel like you have known a lifetime. I know that Jason still thinks of you often and has many memories shared between the two of you. Many times his stories would be so far fetched that he would say “you can ask Richie if you dont believe me”, how will I ever know what to believe now. I know that you are loved beyond measure, your family would have loved for you to stay but I believe the pain was just too much even for a soul like you. The pain doesnt consume you anymore, but it has hit your loved ones. No one should say good bye, but see you later.