E. Parry Thomas
Edward Parry Thomas | |
|---|---|
| Born | 29 June 1921 Ogden, Utah, U.S. |
| Died | 26 August 2016 (aged 95) Hailey, Idaho, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, philanthropist |
| Known for | Funding growth of casino sector in Las Vegas, philanthropy at UNLV |
Edward Parry Thomas (June 29, 1921 – August 26, 2016) was a prominent American banker who played a crucial role in funding the growth of the casino sector in Las Vegas, Nevada. Together with his business associate Jerome D. Mack, he significantly influenced the evolution of contemporary Las Vegas.
Early life
Born on June 29, 1921, in Ogden, Utah, Thomas was raised within the the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). His father transitioned from working as a plumbing contractor to entering the banking industry. During World War II, Thomas served as an intelligence officer for the U.S. Army.
Banking career
Thomas started his career at Continental Bank & Trust Co. of Salt Lake City, which was owned by Walter E. Cosgriff. Cosgriff also held ownership in the Bank of Las Vegas, where Nate Mack served as chairman. This institution was the pioneer lender to Las Vegas casinos, initially providing financial backing for Milton Prell’s Sahara casino.
Following Cosgriff’s passing in 1961, Thomas assumed the presidency of the Bank of Las Vegas. He arranged financing through loans from the Teamsters Central States Pension Fund to support casino projects. In 1968, after merging with Valley Bank of Reno, the institution was renamed Valley Bank of Nevada. Both Thomas and Mack made substantial investments in Las Vegas real estate; Thomas additionally acted as a real estate purchaser for Howard Hughes. They later provided financial support to notable developers such as Steve Wynn. In 1992, the bank was acquired by Bank of America for around $380.5 million.
Politics
Thomas identified as a Republican.[1] Alongside Jerry Mack, he advocated for key Nevada figures including businessman Bill Harrah and former Governors Grant Sawyer and Paul Laxalt to enact the Corporate Gaming Acts of 1967 and 1969.[1] These statutes authorized corporate ownership of casinos, intending to curb corruption in Las Vegas by imposing enhanced regulations and disclosure requirements through the oversight of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.[1]
Philanthropy
In partnership with Jerry Mack, Thomas contributed 400 acres to facilitate the expansion of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) campus.[2] They also financed construction of the basketball arena known as the Thomas & Mack Center.[2] Moreover, their names are associated with the Thomas & Mack Legal Clinic at the William S. Boyd School of Law and the Thomas & Mack Moot Court Building.[3] In recognition of his contributions, Thomas was awarded an honorary doctorate from UNLV in 1982.[4]
Dressage
Thomas and his wife were patrons of dressage equestrian sport; both his wife and daughter Jane participated as riders.[5][6] Their daughter received training from dressage competitor Debbie McDonald.[5] The family owned Brentina, a horse that earned an Olympic bronze medal.[7] They also supported dressage athlete Adrienne Lyle.[8]
Personal life
Thomas was married to Peggy, and together they had five children—four sons and one daughter. Their lifestyle involved spending summers at their River Grove Farm, a dressage estate located in Hailey, Idaho near Sun Valley, while their winters were divided between residences in Las Vegas and Del Mar, California.
Among his sons, Peter and Tom manage Thomas & Mack, the family’s real estate development enterprise based in Las Vegas. Another son, Roger Thomas, is a well-known interior designer specializing in casino projects for Steve Wynn across the United States and China. His son Dr. Steven Thomas practices as an orthopedic surgeon in Las Vegas, having earned his medical degree from Johns Hopkins. Tragically, a grandson named David Peter Thomas died in 2003 at the age of 28.
E. Parry Thomas passed away on August 26, 2016, at his ranch in Hailey, Idaho. He was 95 years old.
In 1996, Thomas was honored with the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement. The award was presented by Steve Wynn during a ceremony held in Sun Valley, Idaho.
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