Edwin A. Thomas
January 29, 1946 - March 21, 2024

Col. (Ret.) Ed Thomas was a 1968 “Fighting Fifteenth” graduate. Born Jan. 29, 1946 in Norfolk, Virginia, he attended high school in Reedsville, Pennsylvania, entered USAFA and began a most noteworthy Air Force career. He attended Purdue University, graduating with an MS in aeronautics and astronautics. He completed UNT and EWO training (outstanding graduate) at Mather AFB. Next, as an F-105 Wild Weasel EWO at Karat RTAB, Thailand, mostly in support of B-52 strikes during the SEA campaign. There he completed 137 missions, 125 of which were over North Vietnam. He chose to stay in fighters and was assigned as an F-4E EWO at Torrejon AB, Spain. Ed’s repeated applications for pilot training were successful when vision requirements were eased for a few navigator applicants with fighter experience. His dream of becoming a pilot was fulfilled upon graduating from UPT at Williams AFB (outstanding graduate). He flew and instructed in the A-7D at Davis-Montham AFB, and Eglin AFB. In 1978, Ed was selected for Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB, where he spent the next seven years testing early models of the F-16, flying numerous other aircraft, and finally serving as director of the F-16XL combined test force. After completing National War College, he worked at the Pentagon in the Fighter Requirements Directorate. He resumed his flying career as vice commander, 3246th Test Wing at Eglin. He retired Dec. 21, 1991.

Ed’s second career was with United Airlines. Based in Chicago, he flew the DC-10, A-320, 757 and 767. He later served as a professor at Elgin Community College. Living in Wheaton, Illinois, Ed spent countless hours of his retired-retired years building a Skybolt biplane in his hangar. His wife, Jenna, relayed that over the years when folks asked him when it would finally be completed, he inevitably replied, “Tuesday.” The plane remains a work in progress after Ed’s passing on March 21, 2024.

During his Air Force career, Ed displayed exemplary levels of intelligence, perseverance and dedication. Always personable and possessing a quick, dry wit, he was regarded as a consummate professional and simply a great guy.

Ed is survived by the love of his life, wife, Jenna; son, Mark; daughter, Carley; granddaughters, Hayley, Ryleigh and Ellie; and his brother, Ross.
“Here’s a nickel” to a great man, an accomplished EWO and fighter pilot, and a true friend who will be sorely missed by family, friends and associates.
                                                                                                                                                                               (Ed Leonard, classmate)

Eulogy - Read at the Air Force Academy Cemetery graveside service, by Ed's wife Jenna on June 14, 2024.
We are gathered here today to honor a dear man, Ed Thomas. Ed filled his 78 years here on earth with brave adventures and many achievements. Those of us whose lives were touched by him remember his kindness, his intelligence, his humbleness and his love of all things pertaining to flying.

Looking back over the years, I find it more important this morning to remember the spirit of Ed’s life rather than the facts.

Ed was my beloved husband for 21 years. He had a generous heart and a loving soul. Sometimes we would wake up at 3 in the morning and when we did one of us was supposed to tell a joke or a funny story that would make us laugh before going back to sleep.

He once told me his perfect day consisted of the following: working on his plane in his hangar, having lunch with his airport buddies, going for ride in a plane, then coming home to be with me and having his favorite homemade spaghetti and meatball dinner.

We can say that he was never happier than when he was up in the air, seeing the world from above. That was when he was truly in his element. Being at once focused by using his great intelligence and engineer brain at the same time free from worldly challenges and concerns. And he was equally happy in his hangar making something, building something, fixing something, figuring out how to create the next steps in his Sky Bolt airplane.

Ed was a team player. Always. In his professional life, with his hobbies and in our marriage. The word “we” meant much more to him than the word “I”.
We started taking dance lessons three weeks after we met. And we continued with lessons every Saturday morning for ten years. Our initial connection came about because we both wanted to learn to dance and didn’t have partners. So we became partners and danced through life together, sometimes stepping on each other’s toes but always in each other’s arms.

My life is richer for having known Ed. I thank him for all the time we spent together. And I know I am not alone in the way I feel. All who knew Ed know what I am talking about. And I thank God for giving us the pleasure of his company. My Ed, we remember you with love.

We have recently learned of the death of Colonel (Ret) Edwin A. Thomas, CS-15, Class of 1968. He passed away peacefully at home in Wheaton IL on March 21, 2024, from cancer. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on May 14, 2024 at the USAFA cemetery. His family has suggested memorial donations be made in lieu of flowers to the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans. Condolences may be sent to his family in care of his wife, Jenna:
Mrs. Jenna Eisenberg, 0N730 Pleasant Hill Rd., Wheaton, IL 60187-2944

Dear Friends of Ed who live far away,
As most of you may already know, my wonderful Ed flew west on March 21st. He didn't want a funeral or memorial but I felt that it was important to share with others the Skybolt biplane project that he worked on for half of his life. It's amazing, just amazing.
So the attached invitation is to visit his hangar and see his masterpiece. He loved to make things, build things, fix things. He didn't get to complete it, but for him the journey was more important than the destination. He was asked a million times when it would be done. His reply was always "Tuesday".
After he retired seven years ago his schedule looked like this: We had breakfast together, I packed him a lunch and bid him good day and said "See you for dinner, have fun. I love you". And off he went to work on his plane. The evenings and weekends were for us.
After this celebration day my son Josh (who, by the way, designed the invitation) will be putting together a Youtube with pictures from Ed's life and from the celebration day. I'll be happy to send it to you so you can be part of the day also. Just let me know.
In sadness and in gladness,
Jenna
(also know as "the wife" or by Ed "my woman"!)

P.S. There will be a ceremony at the Air Force Academy on May 14, 2024 at 11a.m. if you are able to be there.

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