Patricia Anne Thomas

Patricia Anne Thomas (Patty) died on April 28, 2026 in Murray, Utah. She had been residing at The Abbington Assisted Living in Murray since relocating from Rio Rancho, New Mexico in August 2024. Patty is remembered for loving her family, her dogs and her community. She was a longtime resident of Rio Rancho, living at 200 Lisbon Drive with her husband Jack who preceded her in death February 17, 2021. Patty and Jack had a daughter, Karen Lynn Thomas, who died July 27, 2024. Patty was born on October 20, 1941 in Dayton, Ohio to Arthur and Martha Wyatt. She attended Wilbur Wright High School in Dayton and began a career with Ohio Bell in Dayton as an operator. She and Jack were married on June 15, 1963. They moved to Rio Rancho, New Mexico in 1977 where she and Jack built a new home in what was then mostly desert. She continued her telephone career with Mountain Bell. Patty took an early retirement and began to focus on caring for her six beloved dauchunds. When offered the opportunity to volunteer in the local city election, she was encouraged to run for a city councilor seat for the City of Rio Rancho herself and won easily. She was a dedicated campaigner and was elected to multiple terms as a city councilor. Her husband Jack had also served two terms as a city councilor before her. During her service as city councilor, she focused on community improvements by working to fund city sidewalk and parks’ facilities and the development of a new hospital for the community. Jack had also served as a Sandoval County Commissioner following his city position, and Patty again followed in his footsteps getting elected to the county commission following Jack’s term. She served a total of 10 years as a County Commissioner and was the first woman to serve as chair. She was recognized at the end of her service in December 2000 for her “unwavering support of law enforcement, emergency services and education in Sandoval County.”

As mentioned above, Patty loved her dogs and raised several dauchund pups over the years they lived in Rio Rancho. She and Jack were regular walkers and always took a few energetic dogs with them on their early morning walks. She was a dedicated supporter of Watermelon Mountain Ranch, an animal rescue facility in Rio Rancho. She also enjoyed watching game shows and old westerns on her giant TV and was always up to date on weather and traffic conditions.

Patty is survived by her youngest sister Donna, brother-in-lawJim, and her nieces Jessica Carlisle and Amy Lacy. Patty was very appreciative of the expert care and support she received from the family when she relocated to Utah. As per her wishes, there will be no service, and her remains have been cremated.