Edward (Ned) Thomas

Edward (Ned) Thomas, 97, passed away on July 5, 2004 in the retirement community of Green Valley, Ariz..

Ned led an active and long life in pursuance of his great passion for writing, with a career as a journalist and newspaperman that spanned a career of over 52 years.

He will be remembered locally and with great fondness as the former editor and co-publisher of the Columbia Basin Herald from 1946-1967.

Thomas and partner/co-publisher, Gilbert H. Kaynor, were the principal founders and developers of the Herald newspaper plant that started as a weekly in 1946, went twice weekly in 1953 and finally went daily in 1955, as it continues to this day.

Until his recent passing, Ned was acknowledged as the oldest living United States Marine Corps war correspondent, having been assigned to direct news coverage of the First Marine Aircraft Wing in the South Pacific and Philippines during World War II and later recalled to duty as the Top Marine Corps Information officer during the Korean War.

Highlights of his wartime duties included historical coverage of survivors of the Bataan Death March, who were liberated in the Pacific Theater, and the release of Lt. Col. Gregory (Pappy) Boyington, and his men of the famed Black Sheep Squadron, from a Japanese prison camp.

Ned was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mildred (Toodie) Thomas.

He is survived by: his daughter, Sharon Cameron and husband, Roger; and seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren.

Ned will be inurned next to his wife, Toodie, together on a picturesque hillside that overlooks Moses Lake, Wash.

A memorial service will be held this fall for family members so that they can unite, celebrate and pay tribute to this man's wonderful journey and long life. Let the trumpets blow!