Nicholas James Thomas, 21

Sgt. Nicholas Thomas, 21, was buried Aug.16, 2005, at Willamette National Cemetery after full military funeral services at New Hope Community Church in Portland.

Nick was born June 12, 1984, in Portland, where he lived all his life.

After graduating from high school in 2002, he joined the Oregon National Guard and studied business at Mount Hood Community College.

While attending college, he met Corey McAlister, whom he married in 2003 just before he was deployed to Iraq. He returned to Portland in April 2004, and six months later he was asked and agreed to return for Operation Iraqi Freedom II.

Nick was promoted to the rank of sergeant with top honors.

He returned from Iraq in April and a month later he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Complications took his life on Aug. 11, 2005.

Nick was preceded in death by his grandfathers, John Thomas and Bill Dilworth.

He is survived by his wife, Corey, and his daughter, Kaitlyn, in Kalispell; his parents, Terry and Maureen; and his sister, Ashley.

Memorials may be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202; or online at www.leukemia-lymphoma.org.