Cal Michael Thomason

Cal Michael Thomason, 43, of Fair Oaks, Calif., and formerly of La Grande, died Sept. 5 surrounded by family and friends at his home.

A private celebration of Cal's life will be held at a later date.

Cal was born Feb. 25, 1965, in Eugene. He was raised in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, and in La Grande where he graduated from high school in 1983, the year he won the Oregon AAA High School Wrestling Championship.

A 1988 graduate of the University of Oregon with a bachelor of science degree, Cal moved to California and was a successful independent contractor in the greater Sacramento area.

Those who knew and loved Cal say he personified the "can-do spirit" and was an inspiration. They say although his life was short, the speed at which he lived was phenomenal.

Survivors include his wife, Sonya; sons, Cal Michael Jr. and his wife, Jeannine, Christopher and Daniel; two grandchildren; parents, Burke and Sharon (Backer) Thomason; brother, Aaron and his wife, Maki Thomason, and their children; grandmother, Melva Jordan Backer; aunts and uncles and their spouses and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Roy Backer, and Karla and Helen Thomason; and uncle, Steve Thomason.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Sarcoma Alliance, 775 E. Blithedale No. 344, Mill Valley, CA 94941, or a local hospice organization.

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