David Thomas

David Carl Thomas, of Shingle Springs in El Dorado County, Calif., died Wednesday, Dec. 14, at the age of 71 of brain cancer.

David was, first and foremost, a family man. He lives on in the hearts of his wife, Lynne, and two daughters Carolyn and Katy, as well as his two grandsons – a particular point of pride and joy – Blake, 12, and Cade, 9.

David was born in Long Beach on Sept. 21, 1951 to Jack and Evelyn Thomas. He married his UC Riverside college sweetheart, Lynne, on Aug. 24, 1974, after which David enjoyed a decades-long career in information technology. David and Lynne moved from Southern California to El Dorado County in 1983.

Though David spent most of his adult life living in Northern California, he was an ardent fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers — much to the dismay of his eldest daughter, her San Francisco Giants-loving husband, and their two children who bleed orange and black. David’s faith in the Dodgers never wavered, even during the years he worked for the Giants-affiliated River Cats in Sacramento – a job both he and Lynne enjoyed in their respective retirement years. He leaves behind countless co-workers and friends from the ballpark.

David’s lifelong love of music was a gift to all who crossed his path. It was a rare day that he would not pick up one of his four guitars. He loved playing music, listening to music, and being a part of a community of musicians, specifically finger-style guitar players. He and Lynne hosted many of these musicians for house concerts, to the delight of hundreds of visitors over the years. In time, their home became known as The Shingle Springs Opera House.

His love of music was particularly well-known in David’s church community. David and Lynne, along with their daughters, were one of a handful of families who founded Faith Episcopal Church in Cameron Park. In the early 1990s, this small group of Episcopalians held services in each other’s living rooms. As the congregation grew, the church found space in a strip mall and later built a beautiful sanctuary along Highway 50, where it continues to serve hundreds of families throughout the region.

David played music during church services, and he served as a sound tech, operating a sound board that intimidated everyone except him. David’s church family was incredibly special to him, and he felt the many, many prayers said in his honor in his final weeks.

David’s love was felt by each of these communities: family, baseball, music, and church. He lit up every space into which he walked, and his light will be carried forever by everyone who loved him.

A memorial service and inurnment will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 14 at Faith Episcopal Church in Cameron Park. David requested that we celebrate his life with a party following the service at his and Lynne’s home in Shingle Springs (he specifically wanted two kinds of draft beer to be served). All are welcome to come raise a toast to a man who left a mark on so many.