E. Parry Thomas

Edward Parry Thomas (June 29, 1921 – August 26, 2016) was an American banker who helped finance the development of the casino industry of Las Vegas, Nevada. Along with his business partner, Jerome D. Mack, he is credited with building Las Vegas into what it is today.

Early life Thomas was born on June 29, 1921, in Ogden, Utah. He was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

Banking career Thomas started his career at the Continental Bank & Trust Co. of Salt Lake City. Its first loan was to Milton Prell, who used it to build the Sahara casino. Meanwhile, in 1961, shortly after Cosgriff's death, Thomas became its President. The bank was eventually acquired by Bank of America for about $380.5 million in 1992. With Jerry Mack, Thomas lobbied influential Nevada businessman Bill Harrah as well as former Governors Grant Sawyer and Paul Laxalt to pass two acts legalizing the corporate ownership of casinos. Thomas received an honorary doctorate from UNLV in 1982.

Dressage With his wife, Thomas sponsored dressage; both his wife and daughter Jane were riders. Dressage trainer and competitor Debbie McDonald taught his daughter. They also have sponsored Adrienne Lyle, a dressage competitor.

Personal life Thomas was married to Peggy. They had four sons and one daughter. Another son, Roger Thomas is an interior designer; he has designed many casinos for Steve Wynn, both in the United States and in China. His son Dr. Steven Thomas is an orthopedic surgeon in Las Vegas and graduated from Johns Hopkins. One of his grandsons, David Peter Thomas, died of an undisclosed cause in Blaine County, Idaho, in 2003, at the age of 28.

E. Parry Thomas died on August 26, 2016, at his ranch in Hailey, Idaho, at the age of 95.

In 1996, Thomas received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement presented by Awards Council member Steve Wynn at a ceremony in Sun Valley, Idaho.