Danny Ellis Thomas, 62, passed away Monday, October 13, 2014 at his home in Yuma. He was born in Flandreau, SD on February 11, 1952 to L. Ellis and LaVonne (Agnitsch) Thomas. Danny grew up and graduated from Flandreau High School in 1970. Danny attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD. Danny's first love in life was music and he played several musical instruments. In his later high school years, Danny and his friends/classmates created a band called The Thirteenth Hour. He also played with the local popular bands Nickel Bag of Soul (Inducted into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013), The Rising Sons, and Priceless (To be inducted into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015).Danny was a member of the Flandreau Alumni Band and the Flandreau City Band along with his father, siblings and children. After leaving SDSU, Danny met Penny Cross, his first wife, while touring as a musician in Canada, and they were married in Sioux Falls, SD in 1977. Danny and Penny returned to Flandreau where they owned Danny's Lounge from 1975-1997. In 1997 Danny and his family journeyed west to Hill City in the Black Hills where they owned Thomas Bookkeeping and Whispering Pines Shelties. Danny and his family returned to eastern South Dakota in 2007. The family was greatly saddened as Penny passed away in 2009. Danny found great happiness again marrying Cathe (Bauske) Walker in 2012. Danny and Cathe took up residence in sunny Yuma, Arizona. He enjoyed gardening, playing music, golfing, spending time with friends and family, and cherished his four beautiful grandchildren.

Left to treasure Danny's memory are wife, Cathe; son, Danny Lincoln, of Brookings, SD; daughter, Abby of Swan, IA; son, Billy, wife Sheena and their son Ryder of Sioux Falls, SD; daughter, Kristy Peterson, husband Joey and their children Paige, Parker, Piper, of Volga, SD; daughter, Karly, special friend Isaac, of Brookings, SD; mother, LaVonne Thomas of Flandreau; sister, Linda Harris, husband Bob of Alta, IA; sister, Pam Shipe, husband Doug of Lenexa KS; brother, Kerry, wife Laurie of Flandreau, SD; brother, Tom, wife Marion of Wakefield, RI; step-daughter, Crystal Ninas, husband Doug of Gillette, WY; step-son Eric Walker of Yuma, AZ; step-grandchildren, Justin, Jacob, Blake, Charlie of Lagrange, GA; numerous extended family members and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by Penny, his first wife of 32 years; his father Lincoln Ellis Thomas; and grandparents.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Saturday, October 25, 2014 at Skroch Funeral Chapel in Flandreau, SD with visitation 4;00 – 7:00 pm Friday at the chapel. Cake and Coffee at the Second Presbyterian Church Chapel will follow the service. In the evening there will be a Celebration of Life at Fat Boys (Formerly Danny's Lounge) in Flandreau, SD.