Dean Thomas

Dean Thomas, 73, of De Pere, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, May 29, 2026. Dean embraced life fully with a spirit of adventure, a passion for the arts, and an unwavering commitment to his community and loved ones.

Dean was born in Sister Bay, Wisconsin, on June 11, 1952, to Ralph and JoAnn (Hedeen) Thomas. He was a proud native of Door County and a graduate of the Gibraltar High School Class of 1970. His deep love for Wisconsin and its people shaped the entire course of his life. While obtaining a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, he met the love of his life, Margaret (Renn) Thomas. The two were married on November 24, 1972, beginning a partnership filled with love, laughter and unwavering support for more than five decades.

He devoted his career to showing that words matter, voices should be heard, and stories should be told. In his 38 years at Wisconsin Public Television he served as a director, producer, executive producer, and writer. His award-winning documentaries focused on socially-relevant stories while his passion for arts and entertainment elevated creative spaces and emerging ideas long before they became widely recognized. Dean’s final contribution was perhaps his most personal. What began an idea turned into a twenty-year labor of love as Dean grabbed a few close friends and set out to write, produce, and edit his final documentary, This Place Matters: Ten Chimneys, Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. Though he spearheaded the project, he’d be the first to humorously admit he couldn’t have done it without his trusty crew by his side. Dean proudly attended the premiere at the Lunt Fontanne Theater on Broadway in New York City in October 2025 alongside a crowd of notable actors, theater professionals, and artists. This masterpiece will continue to educate and inspire future generations.

Dean embraced life fully. He possessed a deep passion for travel and spent countless days embarking on international journeys, taking classic American road trips, and packing his clubs for golf outings with friends. When he wasn't exploring the world, he enjoyed restoring and collecting antiques, creating art, and making music. He truly enjoyed sharing his vibrant creativity with everyone around him. Dean was a lifelong Packers and Brewers fan and especially treasured cheering on his grandchildren at their sporting events.

Dean will be remembered for his quick wit and ability to light up any room. A true trivia master and natural storyteller, he made people feel welcome wherever he went and brought laughter to countless gatherings over the years.

Dean is survived by his wife, Margaret (Renn) Thomas; his children and grandchildren, Eryn (Steve) Devola, Drew, Cole, and Dominick of Murraysville, PA; Meghan (Jason) Damsheuser, Carson and Ian of De Pere, WI. He is further survived by his brother, Kurt (Lizbeth) Thomas; his uncle Clemens (Kay) Hedeen; as well as nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and JoAnn Thomas; and his sister, Valerie Murre-Schlick.

They say it takes a village, and Dean and his family were deeply grateful for the extraordinary support of friends and loved ones, especially over the last ten years. That love and kindness carried them through difficult times and will never be forgotten.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Swan Club, 875 Heritage Rd, De Pere, WI 54115 on Sunday, June 28th from 3:00PM - 7:00PM with a service at 5:00 PM.

In lieu of memorial gifts, please make a donation to your favorite charity in his memory. Some of Dean’s favorite charities are Freedom House, Golden House, De Pere Outreach, and Alzheimer's Association .