of Hot Springs, AR
September 17, 1946 - June 1, 2018
Ralph Marion Thomann, Jr., of Hot Springs, AR passed away peacefully in the very early hours on June 1, 2018. He had told his wife that he would be going Home at the end of May. But then, Ralph was a little bit late for every event.
Ralph was born September 17, 1946 to Ralph M Thomann and Geneva ''Bo'' Wages Thomann. He grew up in Little Rock, attended Catholic High and then went to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. After graduation, Ralph joined the Army and went to Officer Training School. And was commissioned 2nd Lt in the US Army. Serving his country was one of his most prized accomplishments.
After the Army, he joined his father at Capitol Offset Printing. He eventually became president and is credited with making it into one of Little Rock's largest printing companies. Its success was due to his work ethic, his ability to build incredible relationships with both employees and customers, his humor and his engaging personality. He could coin a phrase like no other.
He met his wife Suzy in 1981. They laughed often and loved much. Ralph said, ''You lit up my night like a Friday Night Flash''. In typical Ralph fashion, he had a necklace made for her with a gold pendant that simply read ''Flash'', which she has worn for 37 years.
They were joined heart to heart. As a devout Catholic and loving man, he credited God for this union. His love of the Catholic Church changed Suzy's life forever, and she joined the church in 1986. It is a church they both loved very deeply.
Ralph and Suzy lived in Little Rock most of their marriage and belonged to Holy Souls Parish. They loved Lake Hamilton and bought a home on the lake there in 1990. All their children and friends enjoyed the lake life. In 2014, they made Hot Springs their permanent home and joined St Mary's Parish. They were welcomed with open arms and immediately felt the parish family life of the church.
He will be remembered fondly for his many antics, his Ralphisms (''Remember what I said!''), his love of classic cars (his beloved 65 GTO, aka ''The Goat''), and his love of music (everything from Junior Brown to Motown). When his children were little his bedtime song to them was ''Love Potion #9''. He loved history, duck hunting, weapons and all things war related. Ralph also had impeccable style and loved madras. He had an insanely witty humor/delivery and was a truly devoted family man. To know Ralph was to love Ralph. There was only one Ralph and God broke the mold when He made him.
He is survived by his wife Suzy; son and daughter-in-law, Jeremy and Ginger Thomann of Knoxville; son, Jason Thomann of Little Rock; daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Bart McKnight of Little Rock; son and daughter-in-law, Alex and Jill Thayer of Little Rock; sister and brother-in-law, Madeline and Bob Marquette of Fort Smith; nieces, Ashley Graham and Lauren Marquette; sister-in-law, Becky Sommer of Hot Springs; grandchildren, Riley Thayer, Grant Thayer and Katy Thomann.
Funeral Mass will be Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church, 1003 N Tyler, Little Rock, AR 72205.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a contribution be made to:
Arkansas Hospice, 628 Malvern Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901
Holy Souls Catholic Church - 1003 N Tyler, Little Rock, AR 72205
St. Mary's Catholic Church - 100 Central Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901
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10 Condolence(s)
DW
Thursday, June 28, 2018
So sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the words spoken at Revelation 21:3,4"With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.
Cindy Lumpkin Lewis
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
I look back on my many years at Capitol Off-set with much fondness. Ralph always had such a great sense of humor. He had high standards for all of us and expected our best, professionally and personally. He also always stood behind us. He and his family made a big impression (that was for you, Ralph) on me when I first moved to Little Rock and helped to set me on course for a successful career in printing and publishing. I am forever grateful and will always cherish his memory.
Diane Barksdale
Saturday, June 9, 2018
Suzy,
From our vacation site I send you prayers for strength, courage and peace as you grieve Ralph and celebrate his life on earth and his new one in heaven. Your love for one another was joyfully obvious when anyone was around you for even short periods of time.
In my thoughts and prayers,
Diane Barksdale
Tim Irby
Friday, June 8, 2018
Ralph was a wonderful vendor and friend. You could always depend on Ralph and his company. They were always competitive in price, on time, with quality work. It's something Ralph demanded. Suzy and he made a great team. They were the life of the party when they were together.
Gil caver
Friday, June 8, 2018
My thoughts and prayers are with you
Donna Rutledge
Thursday, June 7, 2018
Sir I am so very sorry for your loss. Ralph was one of a kind and will be missed.
Rae Ann Bayless
Thursday, June 7, 2018
Ralph was one-of-a-kind. I know he will be missed by all that knew him. And those that didn't know him, missed out on a true gem!
Lisa Wooten
Thursday, June 7, 2018
Sweet Ralph will be so missed! His crazy personality was enjoyed by so many friends and colleagues. Love to the whole family and we will celebrate that he is now with Grady having some great chats on the old printin' days! HUGS!!
Susie Wilkie Powers
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
RIP my dear high school sweetheart. Thanks for the best senior year memories. You, like my sweet Eddie, were the good guys. You and Eddie behave & don’t party too hard until Suzy & I join you. Wish I could be there Saturday for your Mass, life celebration and grand send off from this life to the next, but I will be out of town. Susie the first to Suzy the last and forever, girl I’m here for you. Know you will miss him, but Love lasts forever. Eddie and I were laughing after one of our reunion get together about Marion always talking about ‘Contentment’ in high school.... guess he now has reached the ultimate & final ‘Contentment’. Peace & Love, to the family. Susie Wilkie Powers
Lesley Cooper
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
I had the privilege to know Ralph professionally for many years. HIs print shop was top notch and could handle any job, large or small, no matter how intricate. He was a great man and had a fun and sweet personality. My deepest sympathies to his family. He will be missed.