Leslie "Les" Hubert Thomas

Born on June 29, 1934, in Manhattan, New York to Cecil and Jane Thomas.

When Les was in first grade, his parents relocated to Freeport, New York. Les attended Freeport school system from grammar school to High School. He was a Junior Assistant to a Scoutmaster. In High School, he was accepted into the National Honor Society, and awarded a Varsity letter in Cross Country. He has fond memories of the school band, and the student body marching through town after every football victory. He also recalled enjoying fishing in the Great South Bay from a boat he hand-crafted.

After graduating from Freeport High School, Les was accepted at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He was a member of the MIT Society of Architects and Planners. While at MIT, he joined the Air Force ROTC. He graduated from MIT in 1957 with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and relocated in Chicago to start his career. However, shortly after relocating to Chicago, he was drafted into the Army and sent to Germany. During his two years in Germany, he had the opportunity to visit many European cities that were the subject of course studies at MIT. After leaving the Army, he joined the Navy Reserve.

He worked in New York City as Advanced Sr. Draftsman and Detailer for the architecture firm of Brown, Lawford & Forbes, Architects from 1959 to 1962. He worked on the Thomas J Watson Library and the Blumenthal Patio for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. During this period, he did detail work on Cloisters’ Apse, which was featured in Time Magazine.

From 1962 to 1963, Les worked as Assistant Architect for the Department of Recreation for the Town of Islip. Work here encompassed design and contract documents for the Town’s first recreation center and miscellaneous parks and park buildings. From 1963 to 1976, Les was an Associate for Dobiecki and Beattie, Architects, Brentwood. He had complete responsibility from concept through completion of construction, including design, and construction documents. He also was an advisor to Town Government for elimination of Architectural Barriers.

In 1977, Les relocated to Phoenix and worked for Fairburn Associates, as a Project Manager. He was responsible for preparation of construction documents for domestic and foreign architectural projects. From 1978 to 1979 Les worked for Architectonics Inc., as a Project Manager. He was responsible for contract documents for Flagstaff Mall, and convenience shopping centers and commercial buildings. In 1979 Les worked for the City of Phoenix Engineering and Architecture Department (EAS) as Architectural Supervisor and promoted to Director of EAS Department. At the city he supervised the construction of America West Arena, now known as PHX Arena and other governmental buildings. He retired from the City in 2000.

Les was a former member of St. Vincent DePaul. He was a former member of the Architectural Committee for the Pointe at the Peak. Les and Barbara enjoyed retirement years and were able to travel extensively. In 2012, they purchased a cabin in Overgaard, AZ and enjoyed the cool weather in the summer.

Les is survived by his wife, Barbara, who he married in 1962. They resided in Ronkonkoma, New York, and had three children, Christine Thomas, Kenneth Thomas (Rafael Montalvo) and Barbi Thomas (Elliott Bridges). Three grandchildren include: Erica Yoder (Adam); Leslie Thomas; Tiffany Hovey-Bell (Anthony); one niece; and four nephews.

Special thanks to Hospice of the Valley for enabling Les to pass away at home with his family present.

A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. with a funeral service to start at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85018. Burial with military honors to follow at 1:00 p.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 2929 East Pinnacle Peak Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85024.