After a brief illness, Brian passed unexpectantly at his home on December 28, 2024. He had just celebrated his 71st birthday a week prior. Born at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, to Ed & Lois Thomas, he was the second of five children. He grew up in the Shadle Park area and attended St. Charles Catholic School in which he was an active member of the baseball, football teams, and Boy Scouts. Brian graduated from Gonzaga Preparatory High School in 1972. During his high school years he honed his snow skiing skills, pursued his love of all genres of music, acquired many life-long friendships, and developed a love for everything outdoors. This included fishing, and bird hunting with his best friend Mike. They made an annual hunting trip, up until this past year.

Upon completing one year at Gonzaga University, he decided there were other adventures to be had. In the mid 70's & 80's he worked in Alaska, lived in Hawaii, moved back to Spokane and finally settled in the Seattle area where every young bachelor longed to be. He lived in Seattle, Renton, Lake Serene and finally Lake Stevens. Later in life and after some persuasion, he moved home to Spokane to be closer to family and to help care for his father. At that time, he acquired property and poured his heart and soul into improving it.

Brian was a jack of all trades. If he didn't know how to fix or build something, he would research until he figured it out. He was an avid reader and master of trivia, collector galore of all the things that gave him pleasure. The guy had many jobs throughout his life but worked for Comcast in Telecommunications until he retired. He spent his time with family, traveling, attending numerous concerts, sports events, and many other adventures in his free time.

Living an honest life, he was true to himself, his beliefs and was a loyal friend who would always be there for you. A genuine, gentle man and a quiet, unassuming presence in our lives. A man of few words but never at a loss for words when the time was right. He is now the missing piece of our puzzle, and the puzzle will never be complete. Love you Brother, RIP.

Celebrating his life are his siblings Colleen Keenan, Leslye (Greg) Hamad, Peter (Jack) and Tim Thomas, nine nieces and nephews and five great nieces and nephews. Also surviving, many Baertlein and Thomas cousins, and his best friend Mike and wife, Kelly Lorenzen, who he considered to be his second family.