Rico Leo Thomas

Chuichu Village- Rico Leo Thomas, 73 of Casa Grande died on Aug. 27, 2020. Mr. Thomas was born on Nov. 12, 1946, to Ventura Vincent and Amelia Thomas. He traveled with the St. Johns High School traditional dancers. He served the U.S. Army from 1967-1971, assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Parachurches Infantry Regiment, the 4th Platoon, B Company, 501st Signal Battalion and re-enlisted for assignment to the 1st Brigade of the 101st Airborne in Vietnam. He was rodeo judge for many years and President of the O’Odham Tash Indian Day organization in Casa Grande. He served on the Sif Oidak District Council of the Tohono O’odham Nation. He loved spending time with his family and grandchildren. He enjoyed going to the casino and taking random road trip with his wife. He loved ride horses and teaching his children and grandchildren how to ride a horse.
He survived by his wife of 39 years Lolita Thomas. He had nine daughters Laurie Thomas, Cynthia Martinez, Ann Thomas, Paula Thompson, Cathy Lopez, Rachael Ellis; three sons Patrick Thomas, John Thomas, and Robert Lopez; six siblings, Elenor Williams, Clemencia, Perkins, Melissa Thomas, Erlinda Thomas, Elaine Thomas; one brother Ray Thomas; 23 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his parents Ventura Vincent and Amelia Thomas; two brothers Norbert Patrick Thomas, and a grandson Cody Thompson.