Slim Thomas passed away on Friday, June 11, 2021; one day after his 100th birthday.

The previous day was a special one for Thomas and for his family. The centenarian sat quietly surrounded by family and friends; holding court as a parade of service vehicles, dignitaries, vintage automobile collectors and police officers drove by his home at the meadows to honour his 100th.

It was the brainchild of Jason Tangen, Sargeant-at-arms for the Swift Current Legion; a way to honour the military veteran, and it didn't take much to get others involved.

"It was a number of phone calls and emails spread over a couple of months. It was just a matter of making sure everybody was all on the same page. It didn't take much to put together really. I'm glad I was able to. I hope I can do this in the future for others as well because they all equally deserve it."

Born in Sturgis, Thomas' family, daughter Elaine Blake and son-in-law Dale both say that he never shared much about his service; knowing that he trained in Shilo and was probably in the infantry.

Tangen filled in a few of the details, adding that Thomas volunteered during the war, but due to medical reasons was unable to be deployed overseas and instead spent his military time closer to home.

Born in Sturgis, daughter Elaine says that the family moved to Swift Current in 1964, managing the motorway and getting involved in just about every local service group from the Legion, Lions, Elks, Broncos, 57s (then Indians) and the Chamber of Commerce.

Being that large a part of the community that he chose to call home, and making it to the century mark when there were so few veterans left, his daughter called it a special event.

"100 years, you don't see that very often. And having the parade as they had it was incredible. That people care that much."

At the time, no one could have known that the celebration in honour of a veteran and a long-time member of the community would turn out to be a memorial. But for Slim Thomas, it turned out to be a final couple of days that showed how much he was valued by the community and those he loved the most.

In the end, it's a fitting way to say goodbye.