Albert “Butch” Thomas, 80, of Orofino, Idaho, passed away peacefully on June 2 in his home due to a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Butch was born May 26, 1935, to Helen and Arthur James Thomas in their Hampton Township home. His father was killed when Butch was two years old, and he, his older brother, James Delroy, his younger sister, Arlene, and mother moved to the Middlesex Township farm of Helen’s father, Roy Ferguson. He worked at many farming chores while attending school, graduating from Mars High School in 1954.

After school, he worked at various jobs, well drilling, gas company, Armco and finally at H.P. Starr where he learned the backhoe business. He then went on to establish his own business.

He married Arlene (Baker) Thomas in 1959, and together they had two children, Craig Allen Thomas of Orofino, Idaho, and Kimberly Ann Thomas Coers of Chicago, Ill. The Thomas family lived on the last five acres of the old Ferguson farm until moving to Idaho in 2011.

Butch was a well known backhoe operator in Butler County, known for his skill of digging in touchy situations. As one old-timer said, “He could take the sweater off a baby with that thing.” He was also known for his clean and polished equipment and jobs well done. He always paid it forward and gave to many people.

His working buddies, Butler Country Club, Penn Township, Foster Pools, Winters and Fleming, to name a few, as well as friends from “The Kitchen,” Pete, Ed, Ken, Elmer and the girls were all fondly missed in Idaho. But he did find a “Kitchen” called the Crystal Cafe in Orofino and made friends there, but not quite the same as old friends, who kept in touch to the end. The family would like to thank those friends, Paul F., Pete P., Chuck M., Paul D. Jim M., Larry C., Joe M. and Doug L. May you be blessed with good friends as you have been to Butch.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Arthur Thomas, and his brother, James Delroy Thomas.

Survivors include his wife, Arlene; his son, Craig and his wife, Alison, and their children, Cooper and Reid Thomas; his daughter, Kimberly and her husband, Jim Coers; his sister, Arlene and her husband, Jim Powers, their children and grandchildren.

THOMAS — There will be no visitation for Albert “Butch” Thomas, who died Tuesday, June, 2, 2015.

He will be cremated and the burial will be private.

Arrangements were handled by the PINE HILLS FUNERAL HOME in Orephina, Idaho.