Leon Evan Thomas III
June 20, 1943 – September 11, 2025
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We share with sadness the passing of Leon Evan Thomas III in Queen Creek, Arizona, on September 11, 2025, from natural causes. Evan was born on June 20, 1943, in Washington, DC. He spent his youth in Fairfield, CT, before attending MacMurray College in Jacksonville, IL.
Evan possessed an independent spirit, having lived in the Midwest and New Mexico before finally settling in Queen Creek.
Evan will be remembered for his love of literature, playing or watching tennis, and riding his motorcycles. As a young man, one of the most formative motorcycle trips he undertook was riding cross-country alone, opening his eyes to many people and places. Evan possessed an inquisitive mind. While he led a private life, he was always an engaging conversationalist and enjoyed learning about others.
Evan is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Thomas- Cappello [John], who resides in the Hudson Valley, NY; two grandchildren, Chandler Hunt, and Camille Cappello; brother Geoffrey Thomas [Annie] of Gloucester, MA; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Charles Thomas. He leaves behind many friends throughout the US.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In memory of Evan, we ask that you do a random act of kindness for someone in need.
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John Prior says: My wife & I were so sad to hear about Evan’s passing.
We got to know Evan some years ago when we used to ttravel from our home in Alberta to spend tiime in San Tan Valley duriing the winter.
I got to know Evan through our mutual interest & passion for motorcycles.
Over the years we made many bike trips together during our winter stay.
Evan was a good friend and he was a great help to my wife when I was taken ill in March, 2017.
We want to send our most sincere condolences to his family.
John Prior, Parksville, BC, Canada -
Clifford Mcknight says:
I am deeply saddened to hear of Evan’s passing. I own a local motorcycle shop in Queen Creek that Evan visited often—sometimes just to stop in, say hello, and ask how our families were doing. We hadn’t seen him in a while and recently searched online, only to learn of his obituary.
He will be missed here. Evan was always kind to us, and I can recall more than a few times trailering one of his motorcycles to his home because he’d joke about the heat. I’d bring the bike over, he’d invite me inside, and we’d end up talking about books and the stock market. He was well-read, full of opinions, and always entertaining.
On behalf of all of us at Manic Moto, he will be missed. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and to all who loved him.
— Clifford McKnight -
BRONSON HAWLEY says:
So sorry to hear of Evan’s passing. He was a charming free spirit and close friend of my deceased brother Jim Hawley. They shared great times together, both in Connecticut and Arizona.
John Prior 
Clifford Mcknight 
BRONSON HAWLEY
My wife & I were so sad to hear about Evan’s passing.
We got to know Evan some years ago when we used to ttravel from our home in Alberta to spend tiime in San Tan Valley duriing the winter.
I got to know Evan through our mutual interest & passion for motorcycles.
Over the years we made many bike trips together during our winter stay.
Evan was a good friend and he was a great help to my wife when I was taken ill in March, 2017.
We want to send our most sincere condolences to his family.
John Prior, Parksville, BC, Canada
I am deeply saddened to hear of Evan’s passing. I own a local motorcycle shop in Queen Creek that Evan visited often—sometimes just to stop in, say hello, and ask how our families were doing. We hadn’t seen him in a while and recently searched online, only to learn of his obituary.
He will be missed here. Evan was always kind to us, and I can recall more than a few times trailering one of his motorcycles to his home because he’d joke about the heat. I’d bring the bike over, he’d invite me inside, and we’d end up talking about books and the stock market. He was well-read, full of opinions, and always entertaining.
On behalf of all of us at Manic Moto, he will be missed. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and to all who loved him.
— Clifford McKnight
So sorry to hear of Evan’s passing. He was a charming free spirit and close friend of my deceased brother Jim Hawley. They shared great times together, both in Connecticut and Arizona.