1933-2007

Wyoming's U.S. Sen. Craig Lyle Thomas died peacefully on June 4, surrounded by his family.

By the age of 74, the senior senator from Wapiti had achieved his life's dream: to make a lasting difference for Wyoming and the people who proudly call it home.

His was a humble beginning. Born Feb. 17, 1933, he was the son of school teachers in Cody who in the summer operated a small dude business on the edge of Yellowstone National Park.

It was there that he developed a child's love of special places that would later inspire his support of our national parks.

During those summers guiding on horseback, he also learned to work hard and to earn one's way in the world.

Those who knew him witnessed the same quality of Craig Thomas: a cowboy's tireless work ethic and respect for those around him. Without doubt, his modest start in life shaped his nature as a fiscal conservative and his dedication to advocate for the average Wyoming person.

Craig Thomas was a wrestler, and a good one at that. Following high school in Cody, he attended the University of Wyoming and joined its wrestling team.

Academically, Craig studied agriculture and earned a bachelor's degree in animal husbandry, thinking he might later try his hand in the ranch business.

But like most men in the late 1950s, first came military service, and he chose the Marine Corps. Craig was stationed in Japan, rising to the rank of captain.

He returned home with a broadened view of the world and the powers that shape it. Agriculture policy and the issues of the West compelled him, and he began work for the Wyoming Farm Bureau, the American Farm Bureau in Washington, D.C., and later the Wyoming Rural Electric Association.

He also bought a small hotel in Torrington, which would ground him squarely in the state's tourism policy for years to come.

It was during these years, based in Casper, that he met a young educator of high-school children with special needs. Susan Roberts and Craig Thomas found much in common. Theirs was a remarkable marriage as life partners.

Craig's political ambitions took hold with races for the State Treasurer's Office and the Wyoming House.

In 1989 saw a special election to replace then-U.S. Congressman Dick Cheney for Wyoming's at-large House seat. Craig won and served with boyhood friend, U.S. Sen. Al Simpson as well as U.S. Sen. Malcolm Wallop.

Then in 1994 with Wallop's retirement, Craig chose to run for the U.S. Senate, winning that race, then in 2000 and in 2006.

Over that time, U.S. Senator Craig Thomas became one of Wyoming's most popular and beloved public servants.

The grit of Craig Thomas is legendary. He never backed down from a challenge. Those close to him knew that behind his strength was a constant faith that carried him through.

Wyoming U.S. Mike Enzi, said on the floor of the Senate, "Although that last battle of his life was lost, there were so many victories in his life that we will long remember. Craig died as he lived, with his spurs on, fighting for Wyoming to the very end."

As Wyoming's senior U.S. senator, Craig positioned himself on the committees with the greatest importance for Wyoming. In addition to serving on the Energy Committee, he served on the Senate's powerful Finance Committee as well as Agriculture, Indian Affairs and Ethics.

In his work, Wyoming and its people were central. His efforts in job creation and economic growth are the foundation of his vision to improve the quality of life for a better future for people in communities across the state.

His distinguished legislative record on issues as diverse as public land management, agriculture, fiscal responsibility and rural health care have made a difference in the lives of Wyoming people. He valued resources - the energy resources with which Wyoming is blessed as well as the scenic resources that help create special places and tourism.

From his position on the highly coveted chairmanship of the Senate Energy Committee's National Park Subcommittee, Craig Thomas worked tirelessly on national park policy and smart ways to help the parks with infrastructure.

Outside of his duties as a legislator, congressman and senator, Craig was active in the community in other important ways.

He involved himself in efforts that included the Special Olympics of Wyoming, the state Developmental Disabilities Council and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

He helped countless organizations in raising money for local and state causes. And from 4-H to Girls State, rodeo clubs to the spelling bee teams, vo-tech to valedictorian, Craig gave his time, kindness and inspiration to thousands of Wyoming school kids.

His life was blessed with four children and nine grandchildren.

His sons, Peter, Patrick, Greg, and daughter, Lexie, shared their father with an entire state and nation.

Many dignitaries from far and wide mourn his passing.

President George W. Bush called Craig "a man of character and integrity known for his devotion to the values he shared with the people of Wyoming."

But in the halls of the U.S. Capitol, there are others, who share a common pain of his loss. His staff and the people who have had the privilege to work for him will tell all you of his kindness and the open family character that is the nature of his office.

Craig Thomas represented Wyoming with honor and dignity. Admired by those who knew him, he gives us a legacy of unmatched legislative accomplishments.

How Craig Thomas lived was as a success, achieving unassumingly what he set out to do: to make a difference for the state and the people he loved. He leaves behind a family of thousands and the unparalleled legacy of a humble, true Western hero.