CASPER, Wyo. — U.S. Sen. Craig Thomas was remembered Saturday as a Wyoming cowboy who didn't let the Washington political scene influence him.

About 20 members of Congress, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, attended the funeral service for the Republican who died June 4 after a fight with leukemia. He was 74.

More than 1,000 people overflowed from the First United Methodist Church where Thomas' health problems first surfaced about seven months ago, when he became lightheaded during a Sunday service. Thomas was diagnosed with leukemia a few days after he won re-election.

"He was a simple, humble son of Wyoming, and he remained one to the end," McConnell said.

McConnell said he never met a man who was changed less by "what the world calls riches or power than Craig Thomas."