Charles W. Thomas

Charles William Thomas “Chuck”, age 83, of Bethel, MN, passed away unexpectedly at Mercy Hospital on April 21, 2025.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents William and Ruth (Jenson) Thomas.

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years Cynthia  “Cindy” Thomas; children, Dean (Terri) Thomas, Lynn Thomas, Natalie (Chad) Johnson, Brett (Amy McFadden) and Susi (Jamie) Chaplin; grandchildren, Nicholas Anderson, Page (Nick) Koch, Bryan (Stephanie) Kula, Jess (Andrew) Trombley, Alexis Johnson (fiancée Carson Stadel), Scott Thomas, Alec Thomas, Perrin Chaplin and Marli Chaplin; great-grandchildren Brooks, Miles and Sutton Trombley; Harrison and Hendrix Kula, Kayson and Paxton Koch and a baby girl on the way.

Also survived by his brothers John (April) Thomas and Wayne (MaryJo) Thomas and the Bakalyer family.

Chuck served honorably in the Army during the Vietnam War in the Signal Corp.

He was an auto racing fan.  Chuck raced on dirt and asphalt tracks in the local area.  His car number was #06.  He also enjoyed watching NASCAR a great deal.

Chuck was very active in his children’s sporting activities, coaching hockey and soccer. He was an avid outdoorsman, hunting and fishing with friends and family.  During the winter he was a member of the Sno-Ghost’s snowmobile club and then in the summer he was the official Swap-Tent coordinator at the Outlaw Grass Drags.

Chuck loved interacting with his family, friends and his beloved dogs.  His love of fire-works were on full display during many 4th of July gatherings.

Chuck was highly involved in the churches that he attended with his wife Cindy.  He was the President of the congregation at Trinity Lutheran at Blackduck, MN and an Elder, a security and building maintenance person at Okeechobee Presbyterian church in Florida.

“Chuck lit up the room, like his fireworks lit up the sky.  We will surely miss him.”

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held at Carlson-Lillemoen Funeral Home Friday April 25, 2025 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM

Private interment will be at Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery, Ft. Ripley, MN

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