Aaron “Harley” Thomasson passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on January 14, 2019. Harley was born June 17, 1924 in Binger, Oklahoma. He was one of ten children born to Henry Patrick “H.P.” and Nora Roxanna “Daisy” Thomasson. The family moved to Hobbs, New Mexico when Harley was 15, where Harley was able to help his father and brothers build the first hotel. The boys liked to brag that they were able to see the first successful oil well, the first plane land and the first train come through Hobbs. When Harley was 16, the family sold the hotel so that they could move to Chico, California.
Harley’s first jobs in Chico were in the almond and beet fields, as well as at The French-American Laundry, which is where he met his first wife Dora “Meridel” Atkins. Shortly after meeting Meridel, Harley was drafted into the Army’s 358th Engineers Battalion. Just prior to being sent to Camp Clayborne, LA, for overseas training, Harley and Meridel were married and Meridel was able to spend three months with Harley in Louisiana before he was sent overseas. Harley didn’t know at the time that it would be the last time he would see his new bride. On February 26th, 1944, while still overseas, Harley received notification of the birth of his first daughter Rebekah Sue, as well as the passing of his beloved wife, Meridel, during childbirth.
Harley spent four years overseas in France, England and Germany where he served as an Engineer, installing fuel lines and installing three-tier storage tanks for General Patton’s tanks. Harley received a European African Middle-Eastern Campaign medal, a Good Conduct medal, and a WWII Victory medal and was honorably discharged from the military in 1945.
Shortly after being discharged, Harley met his second wife, Betty Petty who he was married to for 18 years before ending in divorce. They had three children together; Jeanie Ann, Marcia Dean, and Harley Eugene.
Harley worked for the Chico State College (California State University, Chico) for 31 years, overseeing the Bidwell Mansion for five of those years and the rest of his employment was spent landscaping the campus.
On May 22, 1964, Harley married his forever love, Lula Belle Beasley (Taylor), gaining him three more children, David Neal, Timothy Earl, and Kelly Janine. In 1965, Harley and Lula became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, after being introduced to the gospel by their dear friend, Owen Coleman. In 1976, at the age of 16, Timothy suffered an anoxic brain injury, which led them to build and open Thomasson’s High Horizon care facility which cared for and housed individuals with brain injuries. They were not only the founders, but the administrators of the facility for 23 years.
They later sold the facility to move to Alaska, so that they could be near their daughter Rebekah. They lived in Alaska for 12 years and served on 2 missions while there; The California Riverside Mission in Yucca Valley, CA and Family History Center Mission in Salt Lake City, UT, before moving back to Chico in 2007.
As Harley health began to decline in 2013, he became more involved in hobbies such as cane making and furniture refinishing. He also continued to serve weekly at The Family History Center.
Harley was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Patrick “H.P.” and Nora Roxanna “Daisy” Thomasson, His nine siblings; Clyde, Coy, Roy, Elsie, Arizona, Harley Sylvester, Grady, Hoil and Albert Thomasson; First wife, Dora Meridel Atkins, Daughter; Rebekah Sue Hackney, Son; Timothy Earl Beasely.
Harley is survived by his loving wife Lula Belle Thomasson, Children; David Beasley (Joanne), Kelly Adams (Eric), Jeanie Inalou, Marcia White (Bob), Harley Stewart, as well as, 15 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren.
Harley’s first jobs in Chico were in the almond and beet fields, as well as at The French-American Laundry, which is where he met his first wife Dora “Meridel” Atkins. Shortly after meeting Meridel, Harley was drafted into the Army’s 358th Engineers Battalion. Just prior to being sent to Camp Clayborne, LA, for overseas training, Harley and Meridel were married and Meridel was able to spend three months with Harley in Louisiana before he was sent overseas. Harley didn’t know at the time that it would be the last time he would see his new bride. On February 26th, 1944, while still overseas, Harley received notification of the birth of his first daughter Rebekah Sue, as well as the passing of his beloved wife, Meridel, during childbirth.
Harley spent four years overseas in France, England and Germany where he served as an Engineer, installing fuel lines and installing three-tier storage tanks for General Patton’s tanks. Harley received a European African Middle-Eastern Campaign medal, a Good Conduct medal, and a WWII Victory medal and was honorably discharged from the military in 1945.
Shortly after being discharged, Harley met his second wife, Betty Petty who he was married to for 18 years before ending in divorce. They had three children together; Jeanie Ann, Marcia Dean, and Harley Eugene.
Harley worked for the Chico State College (California State University, Chico) for 31 years, overseeing the Bidwell Mansion for five of those years and the rest of his employment was spent landscaping the campus.
On May 22, 1964, Harley married his forever love, Lula Belle Beasley (Taylor), gaining him three more children, David Neal, Timothy Earl, and Kelly Janine. In 1965, Harley and Lula became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, after being introduced to the gospel by their dear friend, Owen Coleman. In 1976, at the age of 16, Timothy suffered an anoxic brain injury, which led them to build and open Thomasson’s High Horizon care facility which cared for and housed individuals with brain injuries. They were not only the founders, but the administrators of the facility for 23 years.
They later sold the facility to move to Alaska, so that they could be near their daughter Rebekah. They lived in Alaska for 12 years and served on 2 missions while there; The California Riverside Mission in Yucca Valley, CA and Family History Center Mission in Salt Lake City, UT, before moving back to Chico in 2007.
As Harley health began to decline in 2013, he became more involved in hobbies such as cane making and furniture refinishing. He also continued to serve weekly at The Family History Center.
Harley was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Patrick “H.P.” and Nora Roxanna “Daisy” Thomasson, His nine siblings; Clyde, Coy, Roy, Elsie, Arizona, Harley Sylvester, Grady, Hoil and Albert Thomasson; First wife, Dora Meridel Atkins, Daughter; Rebekah Sue Hackney, Son; Timothy Earl Beasely.
Harley is survived by his loving wife Lula Belle Thomasson, Children; David Beasley (Joanne), Kelly Adams (Eric), Jeanie Inalou, Marcia White (Bob), Harley Stewart, as well as, 15 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren.
Aaron “Harley” Thomasson passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on January 14, 2019. Harley was born June 17, 1924 in Binger, Oklahoma. He was one of ten children born to Henry Patrick “H.P.” and Nora Roxanna “Daisy” Thomasson. The family moved to Hobbs, New Mexico when Harley was 15, where Harley was able to help his father and brothers build the first hotel. The boys liked to brag that they were able to see the first successful oil well, the first plane land and the first train come through Hobbs. When Harley was 16, the family sold the hotel so that they could move to Chico, California.
Harley’s first jobs in Chico were in the almond and beet fields, as well as at The French-American Laundry, which is where he met his first wife Dora “Meridel” Atkins. Shortly after meeting Meridel, Harley was drafted into the Army’s 358th Engineers Battalion. Just prior to being sent to Camp Clayborne, LA, for overseas training, Harley and Meridel were married and Meridel was able to spend three months with Harley in Louisiana before he was sent overseas. Harley didn’t know at the time that it would be the last time he would see his new bride. On February 26th, 1944, while still overseas, Harley received notification of the birth of his first daughter Rebekah Sue, as well as the passing of his beloved wife, Meridel, during childbirth.
Harley spent four years overseas in France, England and Germany where he served as an Engineer, installing fuel lines and installing three-tier storage tanks for General Patton’s tanks. Harley received a European African Middle-Eastern Campaign medal, a Good Conduct medal, and a WWII Victory medal and was honorably discharged from the military in 1945.
Shortly after being discharged, Harley met his second wife, Betty Petty who he was married to for 18 years before ending in divorce. They had three children together; Jeanie Ann, Marcia Dean, and Harley Eugene.
Harley worked for the Chico State College (California State University, Chico) for 31 years, overseeing the Bidwell Mansion for five of those years and the rest of his employment was spent landscaping the campus.
On May 22, 1964, Harley married his forever love, Lula Belle Beasley (Taylor), gaining him three more children, David Neal, Timothy Earl, and Kelly Janine. In 1965, Harley and Lula became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, after being introduced to the gospel by their dear friend, Owen Coleman. In 1976, at the age of 16, Timothy suffered an anoxic brain injury, which led them to build and open Thomasson’s High Horizon care facility which cared for and housed individuals with brain injuries. They were not only the founders, but the administrators of the facility for 23 years.
They later sold the facility to move to Alaska, so that they could be near their daughter Rebekah. They lived in Alaska for 12 years and served on 2 missions while there; The California Riverside Mission in Yucca Valley, CA and Family History Center Mission in Salt Lake City, UT, before moving back to Chico in 2007.
As Harley health began to decline in 2013, he became more involved in hobbies such as cane making and furniture refinishing. He also continued to serve weekly at The Family History Center.
Harley was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Patrick “H.P.” and Nora Roxanna “Daisy” Thomasson, His nine siblings; Clyde, Coy, Roy, Elsie, Arizona, Harley Sylvester, Grady, Hoil and Albert Thomasson; First wife, Dora Meridel Atkins, Daughter; Rebekah Sue Hackney, Son; Timothy Earl Beasely.
Harley is survived by his loving wife Lula Belle Thomasson, Children; David Beasley (Joanne), Kelly Adams (Eric), Jeanie Inalou, Marcia White (Bob), Harley Stewart, as well as, 15 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren.
Harley’s first jobs in Chico were in the almond and beet fields, as well as at The French-American Laundry, which is where he met his first wife Dora “Meridel” Atkins. Shortly after meeting Meridel, Harley was drafted into the Army’s 358th Engineers Battalion. Just prior to being sent to Camp Clayborne, LA, for overseas training, Harley and Meridel were married and Meridel was able to spend three months with Harley in Louisiana before he was sent overseas. Harley didn’t know at the time that it would be the last time he would see his new bride. On February 26th, 1944, while still overseas, Harley received notification of the birth of his first daughter Rebekah Sue, as well as the passing of his beloved wife, Meridel, during childbirth.
Harley spent four years overseas in France, England and Germany where he served as an Engineer, installing fuel lines and installing three-tier storage tanks for General Patton’s tanks. Harley received a European African Middle-Eastern Campaign medal, a Good Conduct medal, and a WWII Victory medal and was honorably discharged from the military in 1945.
Shortly after being discharged, Harley met his second wife, Betty Petty who he was married to for 18 years before ending in divorce. They had three children together; Jeanie Ann, Marcia Dean, and Harley Eugene.
Harley worked for the Chico State College (California State University, Chico) for 31 years, overseeing the Bidwell Mansion for five of those years and the rest of his employment was spent landscaping the campus.
On May 22, 1964, Harley married his forever love, Lula Belle Beasley (Taylor), gaining him three more children, David Neal, Timothy Earl, and Kelly Janine. In 1965, Harley and Lula became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, after being introduced to the gospel by their dear friend, Owen Coleman. In 1976, at the age of 16, Timothy suffered an anoxic brain injury, which led them to build and open Thomasson’s High Horizon care facility which cared for and housed individuals with brain injuries. They were not only the founders, but the administrators of the facility for 23 years.
They later sold the facility to move to Alaska, so that they could be near their daughter Rebekah. They lived in Alaska for 12 years and served on 2 missions while there; The California Riverside Mission in Yucca Valley, CA and Family History Center Mission in Salt Lake City, UT, before moving back to Chico in 2007.
As Harley health began to decline in 2013, he became more involved in hobbies such as cane making and furniture refinishing. He also continued to serve weekly at The Family History Center.
Harley was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Patrick “H.P.” and Nora Roxanna “Daisy” Thomasson, His nine siblings; Clyde, Coy, Roy, Elsie, Arizona, Harley Sylvester, Grady, Hoil and Albert Thomasson; First wife, Dora Meridel Atkins, Daughter; Rebekah Sue Hackney, Son; Timothy Earl Beasely.
Harley is survived by his loving wife Lula Belle Thomasson, Children; David Beasley (Joanne), Kelly Adams (Eric), Jeanie Inalou, Marcia White (Bob), Harley Stewart, as well as, 15 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren.
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