Gerald Thola, 89, of Hamilton passed away on April 1, 2017 at his home in the presence of his eldest son and caregiver after a seven-year struggle with dementia.
Gerald was born March 16, 1928 in Seattle, Washington. He was raised in Yakima, spending his early years on his dad’s fruit ranch. At about age 11 the family moved to town. His dad worked at the sawmill for several years before starting a fast food drive-in, which he operated for several years.
After graduating from high school, Gerald attended Gonzaga University for one year before transferring to Washington State University, from which he graduated in 1950 with a degree in Wildlife Management. In August of that year he married Lorraine Rabung. They were married 52 years before Lorraine passed away in 2002. They were blessed with four sons: David, Terry, Ron, and Mark.
Gerald worked at Standard Oil driving a truck and for the State of Washington Highway Department as a surveyor for short stints before hiring on with the Soil Conservation Service in 1952. His SCS career took him to several states, finally ending up in Nevada. He retired in 1986 and immediately began making plans to move to Montana, a state he loved from his first visit on a hitchhiking trip while at Gonzaga.
He thoroughly loved the great outdoors and all it had to offer—particularly hunting, fishing, and hiking.
He was a quiet and stoic man, not given to revealing his innermost feelings. That changed in 1998 with the birth of his granddaughter, Kailyn. She was the center of his universe; he thoroughly adored her.
Gerald instilled in his sons a strong work ethic, a devotion to church and family, and a love of the great outdoors. He will be sorely missed.
Gerald was preceded in death by his father Lawrence, mother Diana, wife Lorraine, brother Larry Thola, sister Patricia Chamberlain, and granddaughter Kailyn Thola.
He is survived by his sons David Thola of Hamilton, Terry Thola of Corvallis, Ron Thola of Conrad; nephews Bob (Irene) Thola of Stevensville, Forrest (Nadine) Thola of Alexandria, VA, Paul (Mory) Thola of Burnby, British Columbia; niece Daria (Keith) Shubert of Redmond, WA; sister-in-law Sharron Thola of Dawson Creek, British Columbia; and brother-in-law Ron Chamberlain of Sedro-Woolley, WA.
Pallbearers are David Thola, Terry Thola, Ron Thola, Mark Thola, Irene Thola, and Bob Thola.
The Viewing will be held Thursday, April 6, from 4 to 5 p.m. followed by the Vigil from 5 until 6 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Hamilton.
Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday, April 7, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, with the committal service to follow at the Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton.
The luncheon will be held at the St. Francis Pastoral Life Center.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com.