Robert E. "Gene" Thomas, age 97, of Washington, Iowa, died Sunday, November 29, 2015, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City under the care of Hospice.

Celebration of life services will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 3, 2015, at the United Methodist Church in Washington with Pastor Ben Blanchard and Pastor Jim Stiles officiating. Calling hours will begin noon Wednesday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home in Washington where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Wednesday evening. Interment with military honors conducted by Washington American Legion Post 29 will take place at Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. Memorials have been established for the United Methodist Church, Iowa City Hospice or the Shriners Children's Hospital. Online condolences may be sent for Gene's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Robert Eugene Thomas was born October 20, 1918, in Washington, Iowa, the son of Robert and Cora (Carpenter) Thomas. He attended school in Washington, Iowa, and graduated from Washington High School in 1936. Gene was united in marriage to Ruby J. Wilkin on April 25, 1942, in Kahoka, Missouri.

Gene served in the United States Air Force from 1942 until 1945 attaining the rank of Captain. He served in the Air Force Reserves and totaled 22 years of service retiring with the rank of Lt. Colonel. Gene worked in the body shop of Tucker Chevrolet and later worked for the Washington County Survey Crew. He began his postal career in 1948 where he worked as a Parcel Post driver, City Carrier and Rural Carrier for 43 years. While working at the Post Office, Gene worked evenings at Shell Gas Station and McCleery Cummings Calendar Factory for many years.

He was an active member of the United Methodist Church where he served as an Usher and on the Finance Council. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Shriners, and played in the KAABA Shrine Band. Gene played the French Horn in the Municipal Band for many years. He enjoyed spending time with his family, going to his cabin on the Cedar River and fishing.

Gene is survived by his daughter, Vicki Dempsey and husband Jim of Washington, Iowa; son, Robert C. Thomas of Washington, Iowa; son, Greg Thomas and wife Chris of Lincoln, Nebraska; three grandsons, Jacob Thomas and wife Rachel of Lincoln, Nebraska; Lucas Thomas and wife Raquel of Omaha, Nebraska; and Andrew Thomas and fiance Vanessa of Lincoln, Nebraska. Gene is also survived by three great grandchildren, Reese and Leanor Thomas, and Obadiah Thomas, as well as Susie Duncan Freymark and husband Steve which Gene treated as family; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ruby in 1995; two brothers, Daryl Thomas and Chuck Hennon; and two sisters, Dorothy Hernandez and Margaret Hanson.