Mass of Christian Burial for Dave Thomas, 69, of Dupree will be at 11:00 AM, Thursday, January 4, 2024, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dupree. Burial will be in the Dupree Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Dave passed away Sunday, December 24, 2023, at his home in Dupree.

David Paul Thomas was born in Dupree, SD on Dec. 7, 1954, to Clinton and Arlene (Alwin) Thomas.  He grew up in Dupree and graduated High School in 1973.

Some of his summers were spent driving farm equipment and working with a combine crew from Oklahoma to Canada.  He worked with his dad, Clinton at the lumber yard until his dad's untimely death in 1975.  Dave stepped into his place as manager of Dupree Lumber for about 10 years, then worked for Dupree School as janitor overseeing many duties caring for the school and being the one to open the doors and close up again after ball games.  Dave was then employed at Dupree Oil 30+ years as driver, office person, and handyman until his retirement (again being there to open and close up the business most days.)  He oversaw the trucking of fuel, price changes, repairs, and as they say, anything not already in the job description.

Dave served on the Dupree School Board, as a Dupree volunteer firefighter, as cook at Dupree celebration breakfasts, and even starred in the Hee Haw Show during Pioneer Days.  He also kept records for the Dupree cemetery and helped with the upkeep.  He supported many community fund raisers.

Dave enjoyed hunting and fishing and the company of his friends and family (family which enjoyed his role as auctioneer at their reunions.  He loved to get a bidding war going.)  Dave attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church as a youth and later observed his Sundays by watching the Mass on TV.

He did NOT however spend time on Facebook, but rather kept up with the local news by chatting with customers at work.  He called his #2 lead pencil his computer.

Dave lived out his years as a member of the Dupree community and we think he earned his wings taking care of his mother for 30 years after his dad's death.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Clinton and Arlene Thomas, several aunts, uncles and cousins.  He is survived and missed by a sister, JoAnn (Jody) Jordan of Benton, AR and a brother, Daniel (Colleen) Thomas of Everett, WA, an aunt, Evelyn Anderson of Dupree, cousins Chuck (Sharon) Capp, Virginia Lensegrav, Diana (Wally) Harper, Beverly Birkeland, Randy (Mona) Thomas, Lonnie (Nancy) Anderson, Vicki (Jay) Schilling, Perry (Karen) Anderson, Arlawayne Alwin, Marlys (Jim) Geurant, nephews Chris Jordan, Michael Jordan, Alex Thomas, Eric Thomas, nieces Karen Southworth, Mary Stringfellow, Megan Thomas and many friends in the Dupree area.

Sympathy cards may be sent to: Jody Jordan 216 Crouch Street, Benton, AR 72019 or Daniel Thomas 3702 104th Place S.E. Everett, WA 98208.