Samara Thomas

Samara “Sam” Jo Thomas passed peacefully at home on August 27, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family and the animals who brought her so much happiness.

Sam was born in December 1970 in Missoula, Montana, to George Gould and Jacqueline Hayden. She attended the Frenchtown school system and graduated from Hellgate High School in Missoula. She later graduated from the University of Montana.

In June of 1988, Sam met the love of her life, Larry Thomas. Together, they built a beautiful marriage and family over the next 38 years, creating a lifetime filled with love, laughter, memories, and family.

Sam’s grandchildren and her family were her entire world. She had a way of finding joy in the little things and never met a creature—or a person—she didn’t have room in her heart for. She loved animals, nature, and teaching her grandchildren about the plants, trees, and wonders they could find outdoors. She was a friend to all and had a gift for making people feel welcome and loved.

Sam will be deeply missed by her husband, Larry Thomas; her parents, George Gould, Jacqueline Hayden, and Eunice Thomas; her children, Richard Cloninger, Larry Thomas and his wife Elizabeth Thomas; her grandchildren, Rochelle, Selena, Colby, Raelynn, Emily, Matthew, Alex, and Blake; her great-grandchildren, Sophia and Maverick; and her siblings, George, Jami, Kristi, Randy, John, and Jim; and a treasured collection of nieces and nephews.

Her family will carry her memory forward in the things she loved most—the laughter of her grandchildren, the companionship of animals, the beauty of nature, and the simple kindness she showed to others.

A memorial service celebrating Sam’s life will be held in the summer of 2027 at Rosario Beach at Deception Pass. Details will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Sam’s life in a way that reflects the things she loved. Please consider making a donation to your local animal shelter or a breast cancer research organization, planting a tree in her memory, or simply leaving your dandelions for the bees.

In Sam’s memory, love something, nurture something, save something, and always make room for a little more kindness.