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Obituary

Dr. Buren “Skip” Thomas

September 17, 1938 - June 26, 2021

Dr. Buren “Skip” Thomas

Dr. Buren “Skip” Thomas, 82, of Lincoln, passed away June 26, 2021. Born September 17, 1938, in Cowles, NE to Glen and Bertha (Greenhalgh) Thomas.

Skip was the Mathematics Department Chairman at Lincoln Northeast High School and a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Nebraska Lincoln.

Skip was a member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church where he served on many church committees. He was an active member of Lincoln Sunrise Kiwanis Club for many years serving as chapter president and District Lt. Governor.

Skip held offices and was active in many local, state, and national professional education associations. He was awarded the Scottish Rite Distinguished Teacher of the Year in 1972 and Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in 1983, and numerous other awards.

Skip enjoyed gardening, golfing, skiing, traveling, and Husker football.  Attending his Grandchildren’s activities was especially important.

Family members include his wife, Jo; daughters Kerry (Paul) Oddo, Elkhorn and Leisa Carlberg, Lincoln; grandchildren Dr. Lauren Maloley (Coley O’Neill), Omaha, Dr. Peter (Ashley) Maloley, Bennington, Andrew (Harmony) Carlberg, Muscatine, IA, and Matthew Carlberg, Madison, WI; great-grandchildren Aurora Jo Maloley and Taran James Carlberg; brothers Dale (Linda) and Robert (Angie) Thomas; sister Linda Kort; sister-in-law Pauline Thomas. Preceded in death by his parents, brother Bruce, brother-in-law Dennis Kort, and son-in-law Jim Carlberg.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Thursday (7-1-21) Roper and Sons South Lincoln Chapel, 3950 Hohensee Drive. Burial in Fairview Cemetery following reception.

Memorials to Sunrise Kiwanis Club or St. Mark’s United Methodist Church.

Visitation with family present from 3-5 pm Wednesday at Roper and Sons South Lincoln Chapel.

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Share a Memory or Condolence

July 9, 2021

I learned so much from him.He was a very patient which I needed. Condolences to his family. ~ Cathy (Gilmore) Wright. NE 1983

– Cathy (Gilmore) Wright
July 1, 2021

I took calculus from Dr. Thomas in the 1986/87 school year. He was a great teacher. His impact on me was huge.

– Dan McMahill, LNE class of 87
July 1, 2021

My first class at Northeast High was Mr. Thomas’ 1st period geometry class. It was also his first class at Northeast. I enjoyed his class so much that I took accelerated algebra with him in my junior year. He was always passionate about getting the teaching point across to us. A special moment stands out. One day, instead of launching into the next phase of algebra, he shared with us a loan “opportunity” he’d received in the mail. He showed us how much interest the loan really cost and that it was purely a rip-off and not any kind of financial solution. He didn’t have to do that, but he cared about us as people growing into adulthood and not just as students. I’m fortunate to have had him as my math teacher.

– Harvey Watson, Lincoln Northeast Class of 1967
June 29, 2021

Love & Support to Jo, Leisa, Kerry & Famies for the loss of Buren, he was a great brother-in-law, Buren & Jo, Bruce & I took several trips together River cruises from Amsterdam to the Black Seato the British Isles, plus a cruise on the Mediterranean Sea. I have great memories of all our fun travels, Rest in pease my friend, Much Love Pauline

– Pauline Thomas
June 29, 2021

Teaching is to touch a life. Well Dr. Buren (Skip) Thomas touched thousands of lives. I am proud to say Skip was my teacher and mentor. Skip’s greatest passion in life was his family. There was never any doubt about that. But Skip had another passion and that was teaching and education. He was a master at both! As a teacher he was thorough and demanding yet understanding and patient, knowledgeable but always learning, opinionated but still openminded and compassionate. As a teacher myself, Skip once told me to try and read the faces of my students, try to see their expectations and difficulties, and to try and put myself in their place. Probably the greatest piece of advice I have ever received. Skip gave back to the community in many ways. Outside of teaching our youth for 40+ years he was very active in the TEAMMATES program and the Sunrise Kiwanis Club and St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. Skip leaves a living legacy in all that he reached and none more special than his children and grandchildren of whom he was so PROUD! Along with Jo his wife, they have made our community a much better place and a world in which to live and take comfort that there are really are such remarkable and loving people on this planet. The Kiwanis Club has a motto: “Serving the Children of the World”. Well not only did Skip exemplify this motto but just as importantly he taught and showed us the way to live it! Rest in peace my friend, teacher, and colleague. You will not be forgotten. Your family and many, many others Skip will carry on your everlasting legacy! Most Respectfully and Sincerely Jim Campbell Lincoln Northeast Class of 1967

– Jim Campbell
June 29, 2021

Skip was a great officemate at UNL–I learned a lot from him and always enjoyed our conversations. I will remember him in my prayers!

– Cheryl Kane

Obituaries & Services

  • Funeral Service

Daniel Thomas Scully

  • Thursday, October 17 at 10:00 AM
  • St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
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  • Memorial Services

Marjorie Barrett Hewitt

  • Thursday, October 24 at 11:30 AM
  • First-Plymouth Church
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  • Memorial Services

Lois T. Coleman

  • Friday, November 01 at 11:00 AM
  • Eastridge Presbyterian Church
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