Douglas George Thomas was born March 22, 1948 in Alliance, Nebraska to parents Douglas Arthur Thomas and Jean R.A. McKenzie Thomas. Doug was the last born with three older siblings: Marijean I. Thomas, Richard M. Thomas, and Kathryn A. Thomas Fladmoe. He passed away Sunday, May 31, 2026 at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, NE.
Doug grew up and lived in Alliance. He graduated from Alliance High School in 1966, then attended the University of Nebraska, majoring in English/Journalism/Advertising/Copywriting. Following University, he joined the US Army, serving as a motion picture photographer, stationed with the 69th Signal Company in Kaiserslautern, then-West Germany. He loved his Army job and was sent all over Western Europe filming military exercises. Then-West Berlin was his favorite assignment. After discharge from the Army, Doug spent the next 36 years working at the Parker Hannifin Hose Products plant with several positions in quality, but his favorite was analyzing data.
As a child, he had pen pals from around the world, keeping in touch with them for years. He loved writing and even wrote a letter to Pope Francis! Up until the day of his death, he wrote a daily blog featuring his beloved cat Andy. He had an eclectic taste in music, the majority of his 6000+ CD collection being classical. He enjoyed cooking, baking, creating his own recipes, and roasting and grinding his own coffee beans. In addition, he enjoyed photography, cinematography, reading, pets, birding, gardening, cars, volunteering, and meeting with good friends. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Alliance, serving a term as elder. Doug was generous, had a good sense of humor, and was a talker, with many stories to tell. He was a member of the Nebraska Audubon Society, serving a term as secretary. A thrill of his lifetime was spotting and photographing a rare bird, Phainopepla, in his backyard. His photos were sent to the state ornithological organization, rare bird committee, who established Doug as the first and only person to have ever seen that particular bird in the state of NE.
His life changed forever when diagnosed with an incurable disease, Wegener’s Granulomatosis (GPA) in 2003, followed by a number of other life-threatening diseases throughout his lifetime. A sense of humor and good attitude got him through the difficult times.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Richard and sister, Marijean. He is survived by sister, Kathryn, her daughter and family; sister-in-law, Adrienne Thomas, her daughters and families; sons and families of deceased sister Marijean.
If desired, donations may be sent in Doug’s name to your favorite charity.
Doug was cremated and will have a military graveside service, open to the public, on Wednesday, June 17, 2:00 p.m., at the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.