Longtime resident of Kennewick, Washington, and veteran of the U.S. Navy, Charles "Chuck" William Thomas, age 94, passed away peacefully in his home December 15, 2017. He was born on March 25, 1923 in Twin Falls, Idaho to Reginald Fowler Thomas and Fern Fay Gates Thomas. Chuck attended, was class president, and graduated from Twin Falls High School in 1941. Chuck entered the University of Idaho in 1941 on a football scholarship, was a quarterback for the Fighting Vandals, and pledged the Delta Omicron Chapter of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. Always a true patriot, like many of the "Greatest Generation", Chuck enlisted in the United States Navy during WWII on November 28, 1942, which interrupted his college education. He served his country valiantly as a Navy Aviator and was honorably discharged and medically honorably discharged on April 19, 1946 with the rank of Lieutenant and considered to be a commercial pilot. After his discharge from the Navy, Chuck resumed his college education and went on to graduate from the University of Idaho in 1949 with a major in Chemistry. A chance encounter on the railroad train platform in Moscow, Idaho with Nancy Jane Smith in 1946 while a student at the University of Idaho, eventually developed into true love culminating in their marriage on February 5, 1949, in Boise, Idaho. It was also in Boise, Idaho that their firstborn child, a daughter, made her arrival. Seeking better employment opportunities, in 1950 Chuck moved his wife and daughter to Kennewick, Washington where he began his long 50-plus year career as a Senior Research Chemist at the Hanford Atomic Energy Plant, beginning with General Electric and ending with Pacific National Northwest Laboratories where he continued to work as a consultant until the age of 80. During this time, Chuck and Nancy also became parents of two more daughters and a son. Well respected for his acumen in chemistry, engaging personality, and quick wit, it was fitting that at the celebration of his 74th birthday, his co-workers presented him with a cake topped with a new a made-up element of the periodic table with atomic number 74, mass 183.85, and various elemental properties defined as if it were an element called Chuckonium. Chuck was also invited to give a presentation to Enrico Fermi during his celebrated visit to the Hanford Atomic Energy Plant, speaking to the first 50 years of work at Hanford. Chuck was written up in the Who's Who in Engineering Science, Edition 1991 for his work and contribution in the Chemistry/Nuclear field. Chuck traveled extensively and visited numerous areas of the world for work and, also with Nancy, for pleasure, including: Antarctica, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Morocco, New Zealand, Fiji, Australia, Tahiti, St. Croix, St. Martin, St. Thomas, Ireland, Austria, Grand Turk, and Italy. Together, Chuck and Nancy also visited many areas within the continental United States, Hawaii and Alaska. Their house together of 68 years is decorated with many pieces of the artwork and memorabilia collected during these trips abroad and within the United States. Chuck was passionate about life and particularly enjoyed the following hobbies; sports, golfing, especially with his "Gangsome"; fly-fishing, particularly in his beloved Silver Creek and the Lost River in Idaho; rock-hounding, especially with his brother, Bus, and in later years with his son Kirk and Son-in-law Vern in Challis, Idaho and other areas; rock tumbling and polishing the jasper, agate, jade, opal, turquoise, and petrified wood that he collected on those rock hounding trips with his brother; shaping out of silver and other metals beautiful jewelry from the tumbled and polished jasper, agate, jade, opal, turquoise, and petrified wood pieces; and oil painting, many painted from pictures taken on his fly-fishing and rock hounding trips with his brother, Bus, as inspiration. His family and friends were the lucky recipients of many an original "Chuck Thomas" piece of jewelry or painting, wearing them or hanging them in their homes proudly. Chuck was a devoted husband to Nancy and the two of them were a dynamic duo, a unit, a force of nature as well as the perfect illustration of what a marriage should be. They were companions who had adventures together at home and abroad and a strong commitment to family and friends. They shared a full life together and truly enjoyed each other's company. Chuck was a loving father who showed his love for each one of his children in many ways, and yet his bond for each child felt entirely unique to each child. Chuck was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Jane Thomas, sisters, Daisy Dene Jenson and Betty Lou Bartlett, and brother, Rex "Bus" Thomas. He is survived by daughters Christi (Vern) Chamberlain, Bridget (Bob) Louie, son Kirk (Betty) Thomas, and daughter Shelley (Brad) Yeager; 8 grandchildren, Erin (Jimmy) Carnahan, Alexis (Owen) Strecker, Travis (Jen) Chamberlain; Leslie (Kyle) McCarron; Brittney (Steven) Garringer, Ian (Michelle) Louie, Shane (Jeanette) Thomas, and Alison (Dave Tatro) Thomas; and 12 great-grandchildren, Jayce, Nate, Noelle, Gracie, Erik, Violet, Rowan, Jasper, Gage, Collin, Brendan, Addison and so many friends. A Rosary will be said at 6:00 pm on Friday evening, March 23, and a Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday morning, March 24, at 11:00 am, followed by a reception at the Church Community Center (behind the Church) at Parish of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 7409 Clearwater Avenue, Kennewick, Washington, 99336. The family would like to thank Visiting Angels (especially long-time care giver Gayle Moron) and Hospice Care Ministry for their kindness and care of our beloved Father during his last days. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to: St. Jude's Children Hospital, www.stjude.org and the Benton Franklin Humane Society shelter@bfhs.com.