Dan Thomas ‘had a heart of gold, and a twinkle in his eye’

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Dan Thomas

Dan Thomas, 83 years old, passed away on January 14, 2024. To know Dan was to love him. He was kind, caring, generous, full of knowledge, had a heart of gold, and a twinkle in his eye.

Dan was a jack of all trades. He joined the military at 16, teaching soldiers to be excellent marksmen. In Novato, he served as a police officer. Later, he owned his own excavating business, building bridges and rock walls in Humboldt County, where he spent most of his years. Dan was a pioneer in the back-to-land movement raising his family among the beautiful redwoods and rolling hills of Elk Ridge.

In 2006 Dan & Susie moved to Hawaii where they fell in love with the people and the beauty of the land. They upgraded their house with Dan’s nephew Chuck, who Dan loved like a son.

Dan will be deeply missed by so many; most of all by his partner of 24 years, Susie Cousins, his children: Michelle, Dani (Tom), Karen, Aspen, Lela, and Meaghan (Sam), many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his brothers: Wayne and Frank, and some of his dearest friends: T-bone & Anita, Will Bell, Nancy Sweet and Steve Daisy.
He is preceded in death by Troy (son), Holly (beloved granddaughter), his parents, his brother Ed, and close friend Ron Sweet. A Celebration of life will be held Summer of 2024 in Humboldt County.