Marion Thomas

October 21, 1912 - February 20, 2009

Marion Daws Thomas, a longtime Corvallis resident, died Friday at Regency Park Place. He was 96. He was born in Scotts Mills, a great-grandson of pioneer settlers. He graduated from Oregon State College in 1937. He married Dorothy Durgan in Vancouver, Wash., also in 1937. Marion was employed by the Oregon State College Extension Service where he compiled and published the first official statistics on Oregon’s numerous specialty farm products. In 1942 he was appointed to a joint position as agricultural statistician with the United States Department of Agriculture. During World War II he compiled seasonal information used to place farm workers where they were most needed. From 1947 to 1948, while working with the Federal Bureau of Reclamation in Salem, he led a study to determine the economic feasibility of irrigating 5,000 acres of cherry orchards near The Dalles. This was the first sprinkler irrigation planned and constructed by the bureau. After returning the college in 1949, Marion rejoined the extension service where he specialized in economic information and served as project leader for 20 years. He authored and contributed to many articles and other publications. He also specialized in public policy education before retiring in 1983. Marion and his wife continued to live in Corvallis, where they were members if Northwest Hills Community Church. Marion is survived by his wife, Dorothy; daughters Janet Schultz of Reno, Nev., and Vicki Coleman of Corvallis; grandchildren Sandra, Mark and Laura Schultz, and Tom and Dana Wilson, and Jason Coleman; and great-granddaughter Emila Schultz At his request, there will no be any public services. Burial will be at Oaklawn Memorial Park. Memorial Contributions can be made to the Oregon State University Foundation or Northwest Hills Community Church.