Barbara Jean Thomas

Barbara Jean Thomas, 95, of Rancho Palos Verdes, California, passed away on March 9, 2026. Born on March 30, 1930, in Akron, Ohio, Barbara lived a life marked by resilience, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to serving others. Her quiet strength and determination guided her through a long and purposeful life centered on family, professional excellence, and community leadership.

Barbara built a respected career in administrative and accounting roles, where her reliability, intelligence, and meticulous attention to detail earned her consistent admiration from supervisors and colleagues alike. Early in her career, she worked as an Editorial Clerk for the San Pedro News-Pilot, assisting families in writing obituaries for their loved ones. The empathy and compassion she brought to that role reflected the kindness she carried into every aspect of her life.

Deeply committed to her community, Barbara volunteered extensively and held leadership positions in numerous organizations, including serving as President of the San Pedro Emblem Club, President of the Professional Women’s Organization, Vice President of Operations for the San Pedro Fisherman’s Fiesta, and President of the San Pedro Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. She was nominated by Assemblyman Lowenthal for Woman of the Year. She also served with the LAPD Crisis Response Team, offering comfort and support to families during times of tragedy. In her quiet way, she knitted hundreds of beanies each year to provide warmth for people experiencing homelessness. When applying to the Crisis Response Team, she simply said, “I have the physical strength and fortitude to toughen things out,” words that captured her spirit perfectly.

Barbara is survived by her daughter Patricia (husband Phil LeBlanc) and her son George; grandchildren Paris, Michael, and Melissa; great-grandchildren Danielle, Carter, Decker, and Lila; and great-great-granddaughter Athena. She is also survived by her sister April and was preceded in death by her siblings Sandy, Linda, and Ronnie. She will be remembered for her strength of character, her lifelong dedication to helping others, and the meaningful difference she made in her family and community.