Mr. Ed Thomas of Port Washington passed away Thursday, April 30th at High Point Residence in Port, where he had been a resident since 2022. He was 76 years old.

Edwin was born in Springfield, IL, on June 12, 1949, the son of Leonard and Mayme (nee Carpenter) Thomas. Ed attended schools in Mason City, graduating from Mason City High School, Class of 1967. He continued his education at Illinois State University and Western Illinois University.

In 1984, Ed was united in marriage with Carrie Judd in Springfield, IL. The couple were blessed with two children before their paths parted.

Ed moved to Wisconsin in 1989 and lived in Wauwatosa before moving to Port Washington in 1991.

His career in sales included various roles selling men’s clothing, IBM computers, log homes, and building materials, but Ed’s heart lay in the outdoors. Swimming, scuba diving, hiking, fishing and camping were all activities he loved and excelled at. Ed helped nurture that love in others by being involved with Scouting, first as a Cub Scout leader for Pack 3838, and later by training adult Scout leaders for Bay Lakes Council and Kettle Country District. He loved sharing stories around the campfire… some of them may even have been true! In his quiet time, Ed was an avid reader.

Those left to cherish his memory include his sons Calvin (Carmen) Thomas of Saukville and Judd (Aletta) Thomas of Dusseldorf, Germany. He is further survived by his five grandchildren: Wesley, Isabel, Graham, Scarlett, and Ellie, brother Dan (Peggy) Thomas of Mason City, IL, nieces, nephews, other family and friends. Ed is preceded in death by his parents.

A Celebration of Life is being planned for a date later this summer. Ed will be laid to rest beside his parents in Mason City, IL.

Memorials in his name are suggested to Scouting America’s Bay Lakes Council Kettle Country District.

The Eernisse Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements; online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com .