08/23/2025
Our extended ranching and rodeo family is saying a sad and sudden goodbye to South Dakota cattleman and cowboy Troy Thomas, who died August 19 in a ranch accident while working on an irrigation pivot.
Troy spent his life raising kids, cattle and horses while working on the family’s Thomas Ranch in Sully County, and also made a name for himself as a big-time cattle showman and judge at all the major stock shows across this country and Canada. Troy married the love of his life, VeaBea Bourk, in 1985, and the two of them just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on August 10.
Many of you will remember South Dakota cowgirl Jill Moody setting the barrel racing world on fire aboard the great grey mare by the name of Dolly. Dolly belonged to the Thomas family, and Troy’s dad, Harry, placed the young prospect into Moody’s capable cowgirl hands from start to finish, futurity years to four trips to the NFR, which included two average titles and a then-record on 10 runs at the Thomas & Mack.
Troy and VeaBea had two beautiful daughters who shared their family’s love for high-end horses and cattle. Their first-born, Taylor, was a proud Jill Moody protégé who was eaten up with all things barrel racing. So sadly, Taylor died at 14 in 2001 in a single-vehicle accident near their home in Onida. It was fitting that Jill led the riderless horse at Taylor’s funeral.
Little sister Cally is also a barrel racer, and is married to Badlands tie-down roper Clint Kindred. Cally and Clint blessed Troy and VeaBea with grandkids Tee and Tyler, and by all accounts those two were the apples of proud Grandpa Troy’s eye since joining this now sixth-generation ranch and rodeo family.
Troy Thomas had a heart for serving others and contributing to progress in all areas of life he was passionate about. He served on such boards as the Black Hills Stock Show, Farm Services of America, American International Charolais Association, SD Beef Breeds and SD Angus Association.
But above all, Troy was a family man and genuine friend of great cowboy character who left our Western way of life better than he found it.
Troy’s visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. this Sunday, August 24 at the Sully Buttes School Gymnasium, with a prayer service at 7. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 25 at the Sully Buttes School Gymnasium, and will be livestreamed by Feigum Funeral Home. Troy will be buried at Onida Cemetery.
Rest in Peace, Cowboy. I can only smile at the thought of you seeing your beautiful baby girl again.
>That’s Troy in the black hat between Cally and VeaBea, with momma Kay and dad Harry at home on the Thomas Ranch.
