Obituary of Lorretta Carol Thomas

Lorretta Carol (Dallman) Thomas was born on April 9, 1947 at Emanual Hospital in Portland, Oregon.  She was 72 years old and the fifth of six daughters born to Marion Elinore (Henderson) Dallman and Leon Jean Dallman. Lorretta lost her battle with cancer and passed peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones on Friday, Sept 13, 2019 in Vancouver, WA.  She answered to many names including Retta, Ret, Precious, Princess, Nana, Mamacita, Mommy, Mom, Grandma, Oma and Mrs. Moo, a name she earned by being the sixth recipient in the Pacific Northwest to receive the TAVR bovine heart valve.  Clip of Lorretta Talking about the TAVR

Lorretta grew up with her sisters in St. Johns, OR. At an early age Lorretta discovered a love for books which she instilled in her children and grandchildren.  At 63 a life-long dream was realized when one of her short stories was published in the book, Elderberry Wine, Vintage 2010.

Lorretta’s life became complete when she met and married her soul mate and retired Army Veteran, Charles (Charlie) Thomas. Married for twenty-five years, they were best friends and spent every day loving one another.

Lorretta worked in the electronics industry for 30 years assembling circuit boards. She earned a quality control award for her work on circuit boards intended for the space shuttle program. More recently she retired as an office manager in the field of financial planning.  

Lorretta lived most of her life in the Portland OR - Vancouver WA area.  She had a great love for the Pacific Northwest and its changing seasons. She enjoyed the ocean beaches, the mountains, waterfalls, and was drawn to the Columbia River Gorge. Briefly living in Nashville TN, Lorretta was child-like when she discovered fire-flies for the first time.

Lorretta actively supported her community and the Democratic Party.  Although a democrat, she would willingly listen to the views of others and welcomed a healthy discussion.

She enjoyed swimming, good wine and food, a wide-range of music, gardening, listening to birds in her back yard and of course, shopping.  Most important to her though was the company of her family and friends.

Lorretta is survived by her soul-mate Charlie, two daughters, Vicki Prater (Doug) of Vancouver WA, Kimberly Prater of Whidbey Island WA, her son Jason Prater (Cari) of Roseville CA, Charles Thomas Jr. (Shonda), Robert Thomas (Teresa), April-Dawn Rader (Joel), eleven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and her two sisters Winona Joy, and Josephine Stephens. She is preceded in death by her mother Marion (8/16/85), her father Leon (5/10/95) and her sisters Londa May, Bonnie Rodriguez and Barbara Morris. 

Lorretta loved her furry-children. To her they were family. She had two dogs, Sunny, aka Furball and Sandy, aka Waggy-tail.  Sealy, her kitty, aka Punk, loved to curl up with Lorretta while she was read a good book, or the latest article in The Columbian.  One of her favorite poems was Wilderness by Carl Sandburg and her totem was the wolf.  Always organized and prepared, “I’ve got a list” a phrase associated with a chore or task, was often heard around the house.  Her children and grandchildren learned quickly not to say, “I’m bored”.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, October 27th from 12:30 – 2:30 pm at Royal Oaks Country Club, 8917 NE Fourth Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98662.  One of Lorretta’s final requests was that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to either Habitat for Humanity, Vancouver WA or Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation.

Charlie and family invite you to leave cherished thoughts of Lorretta for all to read and remember her by.