Virginia Thomas

VIRGINIA THOMAS IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Virginia LaVee Johnson Nelson Thomas, 97, of Idaho Falls, passed away September 19, 2009, at the Monticello Care Center. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was born November 2, 1911, to Gilbert and Pearl Priest Johnson in Independence, Idaho. Later her parents moved to Camas, Idaho and both worked for the Woods Livestock Co. In 1915, they took up a homestead in Camas and in 1917 this came to a sad ending when one of their horses kicked her father in the face and destroyed one of his eyes. The homestead went to the doctor for his services. The family moved to Rigby and her father worked in the livery stable, and in 1920 they moved to Lorenzo and formed a partnership in the Gem State Produce Co. As the eldest of 10 children, Virginia learned at a very young age to take responsibility and became her mother’s helper with the younger children. On December 31, 1928, Virginia married Lloyd Nelson and lived in Pocatello. Two sons were born to this marriage, Dale Nelson and Eldon Nelson. When World War II broke out, she went to work for The Signal Corps at the Pocatello Air Base and later at the Office of Price Administration (OPA) in Pocatello until the war ended. In 1948, Virginia and Lloyd divorced. Virginia worked for the Meadow Gold Creamery in Pocatello and later transferred to Idaho Falls and worked for Arrington Construction Company. Her father passed away in 1955. In 1957, she moved to Long Beach, California where she worked at various jobs. In 1961, she married David Thomas and worked at the Edgington Oil Company. She was a member of the “Desk & Derrick Club” of Long Beach. Activities included traveling to Washington, D.C., London, Paris, Alaska, and Hawaii. In 1980, David’s health was failing and they moved to Meridian, Idaho to live with her son, Eldon. Her mother passed away in January of 1981 and David passed away in August of 1981. In 1982, she and members of her family traveled to European Countries and to Hawaii. Virginia is a member of the Order of the Amaranth - Boise Basin Court No. 3. She did volunteer work at the Red Cross and St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise. Survivors are: Son: Dale (Lequita) Nelson, San Antonio, TX Son: Eldon (Linda) Nelson, New Meadows, ID Brother: Delbert F. (Maxine) Johnson, Napa, CA Sister: Edith M. Ecklund, Fremont, CA Sister: Jean Campbell, Alhambra, CA Sister: Donna Mae Howarth, Temecula, CA 8 Grandchildren: Gilbert (Becky) Nelson, Caldwell, ID; Julie (David) Smith,Oak Park, CA; Suzie (Dirk) DeBoer, Meridian, ID; Kristin Hadley, New Meadows, ID; Karin (Hollis) Murri, Idaho Falls, ID; Kathy McGregor, Saratoga Springs, UT; Michael (Laurie) Nelson, Mapleton, UT; Jennifer (Jerry) Carlson, Idaho Falls, ID; and 21 Great Grandchildren She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Don Johnson, Lyle Johnson, LaMar Johnson; sisters, Doris King and LaVon Palmer. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, September 28, 2009, at Wood Funeral Home East Side (963 S. Ammon Rd.) with Eldon Nelson officiating. The family will visit with friends on Sunday from 7-8:30 p.m. and Monday from 1-1:45 p.m. prior to the services, both at the funeral home. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery. ---------------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: