Dean Fredric “Fritz” Thomas passed away on April 19, 2015, due to traumatic injuries resulting from a motorcycle accident.
Fritz was born in Iowa City, Iowa on February 1, 1958. He spent his early years growing up in Whitewater, where he graduated from Whitewater High School in 1976. After graduation, he joined the United States Marine Corps and served four years as a Combat Engineer. After his discharge, he spent several years traveling various states and working a variety of jobs, gaining experience in a number of fields. He ultimately received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering and spent the remainder of his working life utilizing his degree by maintaining and repairing complex electronic and mechanical equipment for several large companies. Fritz returned to Whitewater permanently in 2009 and was employed at Badger Color Concentrates, Inc. in Mukwonago.
His passions and hobbies included riding and servicing his two Harley Davidson motorcycles; playing with and attending the various sporting events of his grandchildren; playing with and walking his two beloved dogs; and participating and engaging with his second “family”, the Diablo Lobos Nation M/C.
Fritz is survived by his wife, Sharon “Sherri” Thomas, of Whitewater; his two sisters and a brother-in-law, Kim Thomas, of Hodgkins, Ill., and Karen (Thomas) and Thomas Vandeveer, of Farmington, Mich.; four children; 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; all in the Walworth County area; one nephew; in Royal Oak, Mich.; his father, and a half-brother, Norman D. Thomas and Norman Thomas Jr., of Tombstone, Ariz.
Fritz was preceded in death by his mother, and step-father, Mary (Sally) and Dean McKenzie; and a sister, Mary Kathleen (Kathy) Thomas; all previously from Whitewater.
A memorial service for Fritz will be held at a later, as yet undetermined, date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Lakeland Animal Shelter.
The Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater, is assisting the family, www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.
