Phil Leonard Thomas

Waterflow – Phil Leonard Thomas, 81, of Waterflow, NM, passed away on February 23, 2022. Phil was born in Elsinore, Utah on December 5, 1940, to parents Noble William Thomas and Mildred Ann Thomas (Jensen).

Our father Phil had a love of music and a green thumb(gardening).  He had a great love for his family and a love for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Phil graduated from Western High School in Silver City, NM, in 1958.  He studied at and graduated from Western New Mexico University in Silver City, NM where he obtained, his bachelor’s degree in Music Education.  He also did continued education at Northern Arizona University, Brigham Young University and New Mexico State University.  His first teaching job was for the Blue Ridge School District in Pinetop/Lakeside, AZ.  He moved to Shiprock, NM in 1968 to continue his teaching career for the Central Consolidated School District.  He met and married Freda Thomas (Moore) in December of 1969.

By 5th grade he knew all he wanted was to be a performer and a music teacher.  He studied the trumpet beginning in 4th grade and it became his instrument of choice.  He taught music education in Shiprock, NM for 42 years.  He had a significant influence on his students both through music and leadership.  His proudest musical moment was when the Shiprock High School Band traveled to Los Angeles, California to play in a performing arts festival, in which they received “High Honors”.  In 2005, our dad “Mr. Thomas” was honored to have the performing arts center at Shiprock High School named after him.

He was a stalwart member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Kirtland, NM.  He served in many callings in the church.  His love for the Savior was evident in his teaching and service.

Our father also had a love for yard work/gardening.  He had a “Green Thumb” and always had beautiful rose gardens and large vegetable gardens.  He loved visiting with his neighbors while working in his gardens.

Phil is preceded in death by his wife Freda Faye Thomas.  His parents Noble William Thomas and Mildred Ann Thomas (Jensen) and his brother Noble William Thomas, Jr.  Also preceded in death by his grandparents George Washington Thomas and Pearl May Thomas(Lockenour) and Oscar Jensen and Erma Rose Jensen(Jorgensen).

Phil is survived by his brothers Daniel James Thomas and Alice Thomas(Davis) and William John Thomas and MaryAnn Ann Thomas(Facio) He is also survived by his children Clayton and Jennifer Ann Thomas(Crezee) and Crystal Ann and Gregory Lynn Busath(Thomas).  He is also survived by his grandchildren, Cameron John and Paige Alexandra Thomas(Henrie), Treven Michael and Taylie J’leen Thomas(Turner), Spencer Jacob and Maren Ann Thomas(Larsen), Courtney Ann Thomas, Ethan William Thomas and his great granddaughters Oaklee Dawn Thomas, Eliza Kay Thomas, Finley Ann Thomas.

Public Viewing: Thursday, March 3, 2022 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home, Farmington, NM.

Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 4, 2022 at LDS Stake Center, Kirtland 5th Ward Building (10 Road 6523) Kirtland, NM. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery, Farmington, NM.