Richard Allen Thomas

Richard Allen Thomas, “Biddy”, Zhooniya Inini, which means “Money Man”, age 68 years young, of Ponemah and the Bullhead Clan, began his journey to the spirit world on Monday, April 28, 2025 from St Mary’s Essentia Health Hospital in Duluth, MN. He was born on August 5, 1956 in Red Lake, MN, to Alfred and Gloria (Cloud) Thomas.

Richard worked for Red Lake Comprehensive Health in Ponemah as a Transportation Driver for many years. Richard graduated from Red Lake High School on May 29, 1975. He was an outgoing, fun person if you knew him. He always had stories to tell, made awesome delicious outside bread and always had his soul music going when he was home dancing around in his living room. He loved being a Transportation driver. His laugh was contagious when you were around him. He loved going to all the casinos. Biddy was very proud of his fry bread and always tried to teach his ways over the phone.

Family welcoming Biddy to the spirit world are his parents: Alfred “Pete” and Gloria Thomas; his sisters: Beverly Thomas-Black and Judith Spears; his infant sister: Gretchen; his brother: Alfred “Petie” Thomas; his niece: Sherri Jo Thomas; nephew: Arlyn Thomas; his brothers-in-law: Peter Black and Chief Greeting “Gus” Spears Jr; and many more family members and friends.

He is survived by his sisters : Barb Thomas and Frannie Miller; and all of his nieces and nephews: Michael (Debbie) Spears, Janice (Darrell) Iceman, Gretchen Spears, Ramona Spears, Greeting “Ole” Spears III, Sharon (Kevin) Rosebear Sr., Barney (Linda) Thomas, Candy (Scruff) Thomas, Evan (Jerilyn) Thomas, Jillian Thomas, Alfred (Labria) Thomas III, Tom Hardy, Cameron Hardy, Rhonda Thomas, Amanda Johnson, Wayne Johnson Jr and all the rest of his great & great-great nieces and nephews whom he called his babies.

A traditional wake will begin at 1 PM on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at the Ponemah Boys & Girls Club and continue until the service at 10 AM on Saturday, May 3, 2025 with Spiritual Leader Allen Hardy. Active Pallbearers will be Vincent Johnson, Terrell Iceman, Justice Iceman, Craig Smith, Wayne Johnson Jr, Kevin Rosebear Jr, Timothy Spears, Wendell Spears, Evan Thomas, Michael Spears and Steven Spears. Honorary Pallbearers will be Barb Thomas, Amanda Johnson, Darilyn Iceman, Betsy Rosebear, Eunice Whitefeather, Carol Johnson-Adnan, Linda Zeller, Candy Thomas, Dell Perkins, Alisha Thomas, Donna “Bitsy” Whitefeather, Frannie Miller and Friends. Burial will be at the Whitefeather Family Burial Grounds in Ponemah, MN.

Arrangements provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service of Walker & Hackensack, MN.

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