Patricia Ruth Thomas “Paty”, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, went to be with her Heavenly Father on April 18, 2025 at Summer Wood Alzheimers’s Special Care, Moses Lake, WA, where she had been a resident since January of this year. Her loving husband Jerry was with her.

She was born May 22, 1940 in Yakima, Washington to Earl and Eileen (Thompson) Gillis. She was number eleven of twelve children in her family, seven girls and five boys. The Gillis clan was a very active, close-knit family. We could write a book of all the shenanigans the kids got into. Her father Earl Gillis played the violin and sang. That gave Paty a lifelong love for music and fun. She played the piano, guitar, and loved to sing. Her mother Eileen was a steadfast, supportive, all-around good person, qualities that Paty inherited. She was always up for a good time and had a special relationship with her sisters and her brother Kenny.

The family moved to West Richland, WA in 1953, when Earl took a job at Hanford. There are many memories shared of the kids going to the “Uptown Theater” every Friday night for movies and cruising with friends. Another hangout spot was the “Passport Plunge” in Pasco, WA. This is where Paty met Gerald Thomas. “Jerry” was from Benton City and when he met her on May 25,1955, it was love at first sight for him and it didn’t take long for Paty to feel the same. They dated a little over a year when they found out that Paty’s family was moving back to the Seattle area. Lovestruck and panicked Paty (16) and Jerry (17) ran for the border of Idaho and got married in Couer d’ Alene. This was a secret, taking only two close friends with them. The plan was for Jerry to graduate from High School and go pick up his bride. Well that was foiled when her sister Bobbi’s mother-in-law saw the marriage record in the Spokesman Review and called to tell her. There was some dust up from the families, but love prevailed and they moved back to Benton City together and lived with Jerry’s family.

Paty and Jerry moved to the Seattle area in 1957 and lived with Eileen (Paty’s Mom) when he took a job with Boeing. They soon moved out and got their own place and started a family with the birth of their first son Alan in 1957. They were over the moon being first time parents. Fast forward to 1960 when they added their second son Larry and couldn’t be happier. Paty loved being a stay at home mom and always dressed the boys like twins and made sure their needs were met. In 1961 Jerry went to work for the Seattle Fire Department, they purchased their first home, and set up to raise their family. It was in the Skyway area of Seattle and close to Paty’s family whom they visited often. In 1962 Jerry transferred to the Seattle Police Department and began his career in law enforcement. At a family gathering in 1965 there was a tragic accident and they lost their son Alan. That incident forever changed their lives. They carried on the best they could and in 1966 Juli joined the family. They were thankful to welcome her and Paty loved dressing her little girl up!

They lived in Skyway until 1969 when Jerry got a job with the Richland Police Department. They lived in a “B House” in Richland and then purchased their home in Benton City where they added Jeanne to the family in January of 1971. She was not quite two months old. They remained in the “Demoss Rd” home creating so many wonderful memories with family and friends. As their children grew up and then out, they added one daughter in law, two son in laws, and ten grandchildren. Paty and Jerry were very involved with family, work, church, and many friends. Paty kept her eyes and ears open working for the Benton City School District where all the kids graduated High School. She then worked in Richland at Head Start, before retiring with Jerry. They spent a lot of time traveling with family and friends, riding their motorcycle, gardening etc. Whatever they did, they did it together. Paty was a very creative person, beyond the musical interests she crocheted, read, did some writing, and was a fantastic cook. However, her most important endeavor was being with her family, whom she loved dearly. Family and friends will remember her for her smile, laughter, sense of humor, and kindness. She could really light up a room.

Paty was proceeded in death by her parents Earl and Eileen (Thompson) Gillis, son Alan Thomas, brothers, Earl “Bill” Gillis, Richard Gillis, Melvin Gillis, Donald Gillis, and Kenny Gillis, sisters, Margaret Kropp (Mark), Dorothy Ash (Chuck), Betty Rogers, and Joann Fletcher (Jim). Her sister Barbara “Bobbi” Arnett passed away unexpectedly on April 23, 2025.

She is survived by her husband, Gerald “Jerry” Thomas, Moses Lake, WA, son Larry Thomas (Kim), Moses Lake, WA, daughters Juli DeAngelo, San Fransisco, CA, Jeanne Collison (Tom), Warrensburg, MO, sister, Marilyn Ardhent (Armand), Spokane, WA, Donald Stark (Bobbi), Yakima, WA, grandson’s Matthew Thomas (Lynell), Sammamish, WA, Michael Thomas (Kaylee), Spokane, WA, Zachary Collison (Kristyn), Warrensburg, MO, Christopher Thomas (Meagen), Boston, MA, Logan Collison (Moriah), Warrensburg, MO, Deven Collison, Columbia, MO, Evan DeAngelo, San Fransisco, CA, Collin DeAngelo, Santa Clara, CA, Paris DeAngelo, Santa Clara, CA, and Sophia Collison, Warrensburg, MO, great-grandchildren Paul Thomas, Fred Thomas, Calan Thomas, Aidan Thomas, Mason Thomas, Grace Collison, and one on the way! She is also survived by many nieces and nephews that she loved very much.

Services will take place at 10:30 am on Saturday, May 17th at Einan’s Funeral Home,
915 By Pass Hwy, Richland, WA. 509-943-1114