Rodney ‘Rod’ L. Thomas January 19, 1953 - September 10, 2022
Rodney “Rod” L. Thomas, 69, of Platteville, died on Saturday, Sept 10, 2022 peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.
Rod was born on Jan. 19, 1953 in Darlington, son of George and Barbara (Bryson) Thomas. He was united in marriage to Linda Coorough on June 1, 1974 in Prairie du Chien. Rod worked as a butcher at Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store and later for Stevens’ Service Supply in Prairie du Chien. In 1982 Rod and the family moved to Platteville, where he started Thomas’ Cleaning Service which he owned and operated for 26 years. He later did custodial work at First National Bank (Wisconsin Bank & Trust) Platteville and at Medical Associates, Dubuque. He worked at UW-Platteville for many years retiring in 2019. Rod was a member of the Platteville Optimist Club, and a former member of the Lion’s Club and Jaycees. He enjoyed riding and going on trips on his Gold Wing motorcycle with Linda. He always enjoyed the coffee clutch that gathered every morning at his shop, golfing, singing karaoke at family gatherings and hitting the seas for vacation cruises with family and friends. For many years he enjoyed the porch parade parties that he and Linda hosted at their house on Main Street. He was an avid UW-Platteville Pioneer fan, where he was the football-clock operator for many years. He enjoyed cooking on his smoker and grill, walks with his grand-dog, Lucy, and especially following his grandsons in their activities and sports.
Rod is survived by his wife, Linda; two daughters, Kelly (Brad) Richardson of Mt. Horeb; Sara (Jason) Voigts of Platteville; two grandsons, Gavin and Aiden Voigts; sister, Judy (Jim) Gull of Cape Coral, FL; and brother, Craig (Lori) Thomas of Sparta, and several nieces and nephews.
Rod was preceded in death by his parents, George and Barb Thomas and father and mother-in-law, Leroy and Lillian Coorough.
Memorial Mass of Christian burial was at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Cuba City. Burial will be at a later date. Friends called from 4 – 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, where there was a scripture wake service at 3:45 p.m., visitation continued on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. The Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, is serving the family. Rod’s family would like to extend special thanks to Emily, Jodi and Monica from St. Croix Hospice; and also Southwest Health.
