Gerald W. Thomas, 88, passed away with his loved ones at his side on October 20, 2011. He was born on December 21, 1922 to Charles W. and Naomi Ethel (Quicksall) Thomas. Gerald had pioneer roots in Kittitas county. Both sets of his grandparents homesteaded in the Thorp Prairie area in 1889 and 1893. His parents farmed and ranched near what is now the Elk Heights interchange of Interstate 90. After graduating from Thorp High School, he married his high school sweetheart, Ida Mae Howard. In 1943 they settled on a ranch in the beautiful Teanaway valley raising cattle and Timothy hay. They had two daughters, Jeri and Lana. The family worked together, often with the help of neighbors, on activities such as cattle drives, branding, haying, and fixing fence. Gerald worked hard on this ranch to make it successful. He was honored as the 1958 Conservation Farmer of the Year and the 1975 Kittitas County Cattleman of the Year. Just as he worked hard, he played hard too. The playing hard involved riding horses, as an active member of the Cle Elum Riders and later the Roslyn Riders he competed in pole bending and other races. Gerald joined the Ellensburg Rodeo Posse in 1981, serving as Captain in 1986 and 1987. As a Posse member he assisted with the rodeo track events, junior rodeo, drills, and parades. In the Posse line-up you could always recognize Gerald, riding the sorrel with "extra spirit". The Sunday performance of the 2002 Ellensburg Rodeo honored Gerald for his service and in 2006 he received the Maynard Linder "Spirit of the Rodeo" award. In 1976 Gerald began a new career as a realtor, specializing in ranches, farms, and acreages. His ranching and farming background combined with his integrity and honesty were a successful combination. For 25 years he worked hard at this career and enjoyed every minute of it. During his working years and for the rest of his life he enjoyed an early morning coffee group with friends, most recently at Bar 14 Ranch House Restaurant. His retirement allowed more time for cow cutting, helping friends with cattle, and trail rides.Gerald was a self-made man and cowboy who could talk about farming with a team of horses, as well as the stock market, he could even bake pies. He was a caring husband to Ida Mae for 62 years, was a caring father, grandfather, great grandfather, neighbor, and friend. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Roy and Johnny, sister Pearl, and his wife Ida Mae. He is survived by his daughters Jeri (Milton) Downs, and Lana (Chuck) Cruse; grandchildren John (Kim) Downs, Michael Downs, and Holly Tingey; great grandchildren Max and Lily Downs; sister Lodema Marquett; and numerous nieces and nephews.The family is planning a celebration of Gerald's life at a later date. Memorials can be made in Gerald's name to either: Ellensburg Rodeo Posse Scholarships P.O. 191 OR Ellensburg Rodeo Scholarships 609 N. Main; Ellensburg 98926.Arrangements by Affordable Funeral Care of Ellensburg.