PARIS — The Maine Veterans’ Home has announced Clyde Henry Thomas as its Veteran of the Month.

Thomas was born on Feb. 23, 1934, and grew up in Roxbury. He graduated from Stephens High School in Rumford in 1951 at age 17. When he turned 18, he started working for Oxford Paper Co. in Rumford.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August 1953 and left his job for the military after boot camp and schooling. He worked as a mine man, assembling and planting mines.

He married Evelyn Irene Webster on April 25, 1954, then he was deployed to Oahu, Hawaii. After his wife graduated from high school, she joined him in Oahu for the remainder of his tour.

Thomas earned the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Medal.

In 1956 his first of four sons, Michael, was born. After Thomas was discharged in August 1957, he returned to his job at Oxford Paper. In 1992 he retired after working for Boise Cascade.

Thomas had three other sons: Douten, born in 1959; Stephen, born in 1961; and Patrick, born in 1963. Thomas has seven grandchildren: Jaime, Jacie, Michael, Justin, Charles, Magen and Jessica. He also has five great-grandchildren, Seirra, Maranda, Ayla, Corbin and Forrest.

Thomas designed and built his underground home in 1974 where he lived until moving to the Maine Veterans’ Home in December 2014. He has always been an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed working on his property. He was involved in updating and renovating the American Legion in Rumford, where he is a past commander.

Thomas enjoyed surfing and basketball in his younger years. Now he enjoys gardening, bird watching, music, singing, joking with people and being outside.