Norman Harvey Thomas, affectionately known as “Norm,” passed away peacefully of natural causes on July 18, 2025, in Stevensville, Montana, at the remarkable age of 91. Born on December 13, 1933, in Rapid City, South Dakota, Norm lived a full and adventurous life defined by a steady sense of humor, generous spirit, and an unwavering dedication to those he loved.
The son of Daisy Helen and Harvey Thomas, both deceased, Norm grew up in the rugged beauty of South Dakota alongside his brother Roy Browning, who also preceded him in death. As soon as he was of age, Norm answered the call to service and joined the Army, an experience that shaped his discipline and strong sense of responsibility. Upon returning home, he followed his dreams skyward and became a pilot—a passion that stayed with him all his days. Whether flying his Cessna solo over the prairies or sharing stories in the hangar, Norm found peace and joy in the clouds.
Life on the ground was equally full. To support his family, Norm worked as a milkman before finding his calling as a commercial truck driver. On the road, he met the love of his life, Janis “Jan” Claire Thomas. Together, Norm and Jan built not only a loving partnership that spanned over 40 years, but also a successful business—N & J Trucking. Their company became a testament to their hard work, grit, and shared dreams. Norm even tried his hand at logging truck work, often loading his own timber, before returning to his first love: the open road.
Norm’s long and fulfilling life stands as a testament to the joy of adventure, the strength of commitment, and the power of humor. He was a man quick with a joke, generous with his time, and ever-ready with a smile. Above all, Norm was a man who helped others. Whether it was a neighbor in need or a friend in trouble, he was always ready to lend a hand. His legacy of kindness, reliability, and good humor lives on in his daughters, Carrie Moor (Wade), Debra Thomas, his three grandsons Brandon Moor, Cameron Fraser, Brendan Lubin, his granddaughter Olivia Schwake and twin great-granddaughters Leilani and Janelle Moor. Though his loving wife Jan, brother Roy Browning, and parents precede him in death, Norm’s memory will forever be cherished.
Norm lived a long and full life, defined by love, laughter, and an irrepressible passion for flight and adventure. Private services have been held. The family invites all who knew him to remember him as he was—a man always ready to help, to laugh, and to fly.