James William Thomas

Jim passed away in his home on Monday January 2, 2017 at the age of 82. Throughout his life, Jim always had a positive attitude and a great love for his family. Jim loved life and was genuinely a people person. He would light up a room. When he spoke with you he would make you feel like you were the most important person to him. He was a generous and loving man and never let a conversation go by with anyone he loved without letting them know he loved them.

Jim was born in Salt Lake City, UT to Adolph Dewey Thomas and Gladys Leone Fairclough. He grew up in Salt Lake and graduated from South High School in 1952. He became a licensed barber in 1953 and a barber instructor on July 26, 1965. During this time, Jim married Dorothy Matilda Siddoway in 1953 and had two children. Jim and Dorothy later divorced. He opened his own barbershop in Salt Lake City called Big Jim's and ran it successfully for several years. Jim was a flattop specialist and could cut a flattop freehand without using combs and guides. He truly was a master at his craft. Jim was so good at cutting flattops that he worked on two military movies in the early 1960's that were filmed in Utah.

After running his barbershop, Jim took his love of teaching and owned the Academy of Barber Sciences in Salt Lake City. Jim loved teaching and passing on his knowledge to his students. He eventually left teaching and became the regional sales manager of the western states for Redken Laboratories. Jim was wildly successful in sales and was even credited with designing a new hair clipper for Redken. After retiring from sales, Jim opened d Thomas barbershop with his wife Dixie, where they worked together side by side for 18 years before retiring in 2014.

Jim met the love of his life, Dixie Marie Fenton and together they celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary on September 18, 2016. Jim leaves behind 5 wonderful and dedicated children. Pamela Stubbs (Howard Stubbs), Rick Thomas (Jan Thomas), Kimberley Mears, Tyson Thomas (Julie Thomas), and Matthew Thomas (Carrie Thomas). Jim also leaves behind 20 grand children and 33 great grand children.

His brother and best friend Boyd Dewey Thomas precedes Jim in death.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 7, 2017 at the Centerville 9th Ward, 50 East 1475 North, Centerville, where a viewing will be held from 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. prior to services. Interment-Centerville City Cemetery.