Darren S. Thomas, 57

Darren S. Thomas, 57, of Austin, Minnesota, died of injuries sustained from a motorcycle accident on Thursday, June 20, 2024. He was a dedicated husband to his wife of 25 years, Sue, and a loving father to his two sons, Evan Thomas and Nathan Toney.

Darren was born on January 9, 1967 in Austin, Minnesota to Lewis and Jeanette (Bagley) Thomas. He graduated from Austin High School in 1985 and from there majored in Auto Body Technology at the Austin Vocational College. He later married Deneen Halsey Richter, and they had a son, Evan Thomas in 1992. They lived in Farmington and later divorced. Darren then moved back to Austin. In 1999, he married Sue Boyenga Thomas. She had a two year old son named Nathan Toney, and together they lived in Austin. Darren then started a job at Featherlite Graphics in Grand Meadow, where he worked for 22 years as a painter. He painted many semis, transporters and coach busses. After the business closed in 2021, he started doing factory work at Geotek in Stewartville, Minnesota.

Darren had many passions throughout his life. He always put 110% into whatever he did, whether it was racing stock cars, deer hunting, turkey hunting, his motorcycling, and love of traveling.

Darren was a member of the group called Tour of Honor for 13 years. Every summer he would spend his free time traveling to many states and visiting hundreds of war memorials on his Goldwing motorcycle. His wife, Sue, took many trips with him to over 18 states.

Darren also loved camping; recently a seasonal camper at a campground in Forest City, Iowa for the past five years has been the highlight of his life and would have been a huge part of his retirement.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Jeanette Thomas; nephew, Blake Augustin; and father-in-law, Arnie Boyenga.

Darren is survived by his wife: Sue Thomas, Austin, MN; his sons: Evan Thomas, Goodrich, ND and Nathan Toney, Austin, MN; siblings: Janie (Gary) Augustin, Kansas City, MO, Lana Pugliese, Florida, Wendy (Mark) Heimsness, Stillwater, MN; Danny (Carol) Thomas, Austin, MN; mother-in-law: Mary Boyenga, Austin, MN; many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 3-5 pm on Wednesday, June 26 at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary followed by a memorial service at 5 pm with the Reverend Marcia Pedersen officiating.