Tiancy "Ty" Dona Rae Thomas, 59

Tiancy "Ty" Dona Rae Thomas went home to Jesus on July 26, 2022, while living in Post Falls, Idaho. Ty was born in McCall, Idaho on March 15, 1963, to Clyde and Wanda "Cookie" Stamper.

Throughout her life, if Ty wanted to go and do or try something, she did. It’s impossible to fit everywhere she lived and every job she had into anything less than a book!

She worked hard jobs like logging in Idaho and Washington, hauling bottoms in Wyoming, and dump trucking snow in Alaska. She did it all right alongside the boys. She cooked and bartended in various places including logging camps, restaurants like the Red Lion banquet hall (escargot, anyone?), for the Yamaha test crew where she learned how to prepare traditional Japanese dishes, for Arco on the North Slope of Alaska, in countless little restaurants everywhere she went, and even in her own restaurant in Port Angeles, Wash.

Ty enjoyed all things homesteading like raising show chickens on the Olympic Peninsula, building, and living in an off-grid log cabin on Crystal Peak outside Fernwood, Idaho, tending a huge vegetable garden in Otis Orchards Wash., canning and preserving, keeping various farm animals wherever she could, and filling her outdoor spaces with plants. She loved doing new things like singing in the Spokane All City Choir, pursuing a degree in accounting, building boats and rebuilding engines, learning to quilt and crochet, spontaneously playing keyboard for Head East at a concert, diving into Bible studies with an unmatched curiosity ... the list goes on.

Ty inherited a love of wheels and speed from her dad and raced dirt bikes from early childhood. As she got older, Ty brought her children along for the adventures. To them, she will always be remembered for her crazy life stories, strong morals and faith, thirst for adventure, love of learning new things, dainty flower-patterned dresses, and irreplaceable recipes.

Ty had a fiery spirit, and she went on to be on fire for Jesus after she gave her life to Him in 2000. She was a dedicated prayer warrior with a gift for evangelism. She was known for her abundant grace — the kind that few understand but all can feel. Her door was always open, and she brought people together with her amazing food. She volunteered at Real Life Ministries in various ways and had so much compassion and empathy for people.

She was known to drop everything to give a complete stranger a ride, a meal, a place to stay, a listening ear, a prayer and hug — whatever they may need.

For the last twenty years of her life, Ty resolutely defied a terminal diagnosis and strove to continue to live for Christ regardless of her health. She said she was “living on borrowed time,” and that “God had to slow me down, so I’d listen to Him.” Of all the places she visited and lived, she always came back to North Idaho. Of all the things she did and adventures she had, making memories with her loved ones filled her with the most joy.

Ty is preceded in death by both of her parents, her husband Richard Thomas, and many friends. She is survived by her brother Scott (Sandy) Stamper; life partner Gene Rockefeller; children Tiara Douglas, Cody Thomas, Casey (Daniel) Doyle, and Camy Thomas; grandchildren Mason, Lilly, Ilyana, and Catherine; plus, so many more friends and family.

Ty was truly one of a kind; joyful, fun-loving, with such a bright personality. With that in mind, her celebration of life is going to be a party like no other! Come hungry for Ty’s famous tacos and bring the kids because OF COURSE there will AT LEAST be a bouncy house! Be thinking of your favorite stories of Ty so we can make that book mentioned earlier. We’ll see you Saturday, Sept. 10, at 1 p.m., at Real Life Ministries, 1866 N Cecil Road, Post Falls, Idaho 83854.