Jean R.A. McKenzie Thomas was born February 24, 1914, in Denver, CO, to Isabella Cameron McKenzie and Murdoch (Murdo) McKenzie, Scottish immigrants from East Kilbride and Glasgow. She died January 5, 2013 in Scottsbluff , NE, at Regional West Medical Center after a short illness.
Her early life was spent living in a railroad crew car modified for her family. Her father was a master carpenter on the railroad, and the family followed him up and down the line until Jean grew old enough to attend school. The family then settled in Alliance at 707 Missouri, where Jean spent her youth. Her maternal grandparents, also Scottish immigrants, lived with the family. Jean was proud of her Scottish heritage.
Once settled in Alliance, the family joined the 1st Presbyterian Church, which Jean belonged to and was active in the rest of her life.
Jean contracted infantile paralysis (polio) as a young child. Her parents applied hot compresses and weights to her legs and exercised them, the approach developed by the Australian nurse Sister Kenny for treatment of this disease. She recovered and became interested in sports, of which field hockey, basketball, and swimming were her prime interests.
On graduation from high school, she attended then-Chadron State Teachers College, studying music and arts. After teaching two years in the Hemingford school system, she taught one year in country school, where one of her students was future-engineer and Carhenge builder Jim Reinders. She was delighted to hear from him many years later when he learned from a friend who was one of Jean’s neighbors that she was still lived in Alliance.
Jean married Douglas A. Thomas after a five year courtship on June 12, 1937. Their marriage lasted until Doug died on November 4, 2008, after 71 years of marriage.
Jean was actively involved in the Presbyterian Women and other study and social groups in the 1st Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed many crafts throughout her life, and was an active member of the Ec-nail-la project club.
Jean’s biggest interest after her family was swimming. She taught Red Cross basic swimming and water safety aide classes for five decades. She also taught swimming to migrant workers’ children in the summer time through the Migrant School, something she especially enjoyed because the children were so polite and willing to learn. The sixth decade of her volunteer Red Cross swimming teaching career, she taught adaptive aquatics to people with disabilities.
The City Council of Alliance twice recognized her contribution to the community and region through her Red Cross work, giving her a free pass to the swimming pool after 50 years, then naming the bath house at the current swimming pool after her in June 2004 for recognition of a total of 60 years of volunteer work as a swimming instructor through the American Red Cross program.
She was a substitute teacher in the elementary schools throughout her working years, though she did most of her substitute work in the old Central School.
Jean also was active in RSVP, a program that meshed well with her personal life motto: Service to others is the price you pay for the space you occupy. That motto is on the plaque on the city pool bath house named in her honor as well as on her and Doug’s grave marker.
Jean is survived by four children: Marijean Thomas of Rapid City, SD; Richard (Adrienne) Thomas of Smith River, CA; Kathryn Fladmoe of Seattle, WA, and Douglas Thomas of Alliance. Four grandchildren survive her: Scott Stϋcker of Rapid City, SD; Mike (Wendy) Stϋcker of Austin, TX; Venus Meyers of Smith River, CA; and Shannon Sellers of Seattle, WA.
Jean had 10 great grandchildren: Ashton, Kason, and Baron; Chelsey, Jessica (Jess), and Lauren; Che’tauna, Makeylah, Kemani, and Braedon.
Two nieces survive: Phyllis (Dudley) Browne of Austin, TX, and Sharon Wheelock of Hyannis, NE. One nephew survives: Bob (Avis) Thomas of Hawaii.
A memorial service will be held at 2 PM at the 1st Presbyterian Church on Sunday, February 24, 2013. The date would have been Jean’s 99th birthday, so this will be a celebration of her life. A private internment service for family will be held on February 25, 2013.
The family prefers in lieu of flowers that memorials may be given to the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org ) or Presbyterian Women c/o 1st Presbyterian Church, PO Box 396 , Alliance, NE 69301, or to the giver’s choice. Cards may be sent to Doug Thomas, 415 Lane 2 Street, Alliance, NE 69301-3632.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.
