Gardner J. Thomas III, better known to his friends and family as “GT,” passed away Oct. 1.
Thomas was born in the naval hospital in Coronado, Calif. on June 14, 1948, as the second son of a career naval officer. As a “navy brat,” he had an opportunity to live in places such as Key West, Fla., Washington, D.C., and Paris, France.
Thomas enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1968 and served in combat in Vietnam. After his honorable discharge, he completed heavy equipment training in Florida and became an expert excavator operator working mainly on large sewer and water pipeline projects throughout Southern California.
Thomas, or “Gard,” as he was sometimes called, learned to ski in Europe as a teenager; and when he lived in Big Bear, he enjoyed swishing down the local slopes.
In 1992 Thomas met his wife, Ann Rudy, and moved to Malibu, where he enjoyed the great Mediterranean climate and pursued his passion for bodysurfing and fishing in the ocean.
Thomas had a gourmet palate for good food and wine, and he loved cooking for family and friends. He was also an accomplished ear musician, a gift passed on by his mother, Maxine. Thomas played sax, clarinet and guitar and loved to work out the different parts to a three or four part harmony for the singers of the Sea Level Boys, a band of which he was a founding member.
“He will be sorely missed by all his friends and family,” Thomas’ family wrote.
Thomas is survived by his wife, Ann Rudy Thomas, of Malibu; son Evan, of Lake Tahoe; father Cmdr. Gardner J. Thomas Jr., USN retired, of Maui; and his brother and sister-in-law David and Cathy Thomas, of Malibu. He was preceded in death by his mother, Maxine, and his sons, Scott and Christopher.
A celebration of Thomas’ life will take place on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 31863 West Sea Level Dr. in Malibu 2 p.m.