James “Jim” Thomas

AUBURN – James “Jim” Thomas passed away peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023, at the Hospice House, in Auburn, Maine, with his daughter by his side.

Jim was born on Nov. 9, 1931, to parents Paul and Theo Thomas. He grew up in Mexico, Maine and later served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1952-1954. He worked as a machinist in the maintenance department in Boise Cascade Paper Company until his retirement after 40 years of dedicated service.

On Aug. 22, 1959, Jim married the love of his life, Pat. They enjoyed Caribbean cruises and traveling to Spain, New Mexico, and Florida, until they found their winter paradise in Lake Havasu Arizona. They spent over 58 loving years together before her passing in 2017.

Jim’s passions were exploring and hiking. He considered his hiking friends to be part of his family. He was the oldest member of the Maine Peek-A-Week hiking club, with perfect attendance for more years than we can count, and spent many winters hiking with the Havasu Hikers in Lake Havasu, Arizona where he was proud to be the oldest hiker to finish the Desert Dash 5K in February 2023. He was his happiest when he was outside or in the woods hiking with family and friends, always willing to share his knowledge of the land and the history that’s rooted there. 

Jim was a kind and humble man who loved his family and cherished his friends. Jim was predeceased by his parents, his wife Pat, his daughter Holly Woods, and brothers David Thomas and Harold Thomas. Surviving him is daughter Kathy McKenna and her husband Ray of Peru; son-in-law Ron Woods of Peru; grandchildren Ryan Woods and his wife Bianca of Peru, Amber Bowie and her husband Curtis of Hollis; great-grandchildren, Rennen, Kael and Olivia; and sister Paula Legere of Mexico.

The family would like to thank the entire staff of the Rumford Hospital Skilled Nursing Unit, and Androscoggin Home Health and Hospice for the wonderful care given Jim.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, Aug.18, from 2-5 p.m., at Gatch’s Food and Spirits, 137 Rumford Ave., Rumford.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his memory to a charity of your choice, or do something kind for someone else.