I am very happy to share with you my life story in my newly printed book titled, Pipe Dreams. Please comment on the book and also share your own thoughts and memories. You can read and leave comments by clicking above on the title “PIPE DREAMS–the book” and that will take you to a page where you can leave and read comments on the bottom of the page.
Below are the front and back covers. If you click on the photo of the back cover, it will bring it up in another screen and you should be able to read the description of the book.
Pipe Dreams front Cover
Pipe Dreams back cover
W. Lynn Thomas 
Very excited for you. Book looks awesome. Can’t wait to read it!
Having had the great pleasure of being part of Ace Irrigation for over 25 years, there are many great stories and experiences I could share, but perhaps the greatest is experiencing the the person of Lynn Thomas and the example he is for strength and leadership …. through all adversities both personal and economic. Salute to you Lynn Thomas.
Thanks for your comments. They are very appreciated.
Dear Lynn –
“Pipe Dreams” is a wonderful account of how you turned life’s obstacles into a real success story.
I loved the last line – “Believe. Even if you think they might be pipe dreams.” I got a little teared up when I read that!
The Open House on Saturday brought the picture into even more focus for me. It is amazing what you have accomplished in your life and those around you. The question I asked on the tour was what is the loudest machine and I think it would be neat to see that giant press in action.
Mostly thanks for inspiring me to keep after my dreams, even when it gets tough.
Nice to see ya and take care,
Your friend Jodi
Thanks Jodi, for the message. My hope is that the story will continue to invigorate your life.
Congratulations on the 60th Anniversary of Ace Irrigation and on the very well written and compiled Memoir of your interesting and quite remarkable life. I very much enjoyed meeting you and seeing the company, also your fine collections on display. I especially enjoyed the chess sets. I have read the book and will read it again I am sure…and feel very proud to share it with friends. Best wishes to you, your family and company. Thanks for sharing it all with us!
It was great to hear from you. Thanks for your wonderful comments. I hope you got something beneficial from the book to make your life better.
You should be very proud of your daughter for writing that book—she poured her heart and soul into it.
Thank you for your comment. You are right. I am proud of her.
Enjoyed reading your book very much, Mr. Thomas. I look forward to meeting you someday soon. I am impressed with your business and the way you deal with people. Many could take lessons from you on people skills. Thank you so much for your service to our community.
Kathy Adams
Thanks for your remarks, Kathy. Your husband’s a great guy too!
Uncle “Bub”, Lynn,
Thank you for sending me your book. You must have been reading my mind as I was going to email Mike to see of I could get a copy. I even looked on ebay for it. I admire all you have done and have been through. Sometimes all we see is the rewards and not the struggles that made things happen. Tell LeAnn she did a great job with the book. I will always remember spending time at your home when we came back to visit. I know Mom loved her little brother. Great story of your life. I appreciate your signed copy as well. Just got it yesterday and finished it today after I got home from work. We are doing well. Not sure when we will get back for a visit, but we will be sure to stop by to see you. Say hi to the kids for me. I do keep in touch with Mike by email. Lord Bless You.
Sincerely,
Dennis & Susan Musil
Wow, Dennis, great to hear from you!
And thank you so much for your kind comments. I LOVE the part where you said you even looked on ebay for a copy of the book. lol. Maybe we will put one on there just in case anyone else is looking there for it.
Take care. Glad you and yours are doing well.
LeAnn
So good to hear from you Dennis! And talking to you on the phone the other day was great too.
Grandpa,
You are one of the most amazing men I have ever had the pleasure to know. You have always been a rock in our family and without your dreams many other dreams would have never came true. You are an inspiration to everyone who meets you. I read your book in about two hours I just couldn’t put it down. It brought tears to my eyes and laughter to my heart. My mom has told me some of the stories that were in the book already, but reading them from your words has brought a whole new meaning to them. I love you for all that you are and all that you stand for. I have been blessed to have you in my life since I was a baby. I love the story my of how Ace was the first place I ever went to after I was born, which is fitting because Ace always reminds me of a second home. Good luck at your book signing tomorrow I wish I could be there. Love you so much. Also, LeAnn you did a wonderful job on the book. It was great!
Love,
Jenae
Jenae, thank you for your thoughtful comments about the book. I am happy we were able to put onto paper those stories we heard over the years. And it is a fun memory that Ace was the first place you went as a newborn baby!
You’re a great grand daughter. Thanks for your comments. I love you very much.
Lynn, I can’t thank you enough for sharing your memoirs in “Pipe Dreams”. Having also been in the irrigation business for many years it was fascinating and inspirational to hear your story. You and Mike have always been special to me. I am truly glad I have had the privilege of knowing you!
Best Regards,
Jonas Stutzman
Thanks Jonas for letting me know you enjoyed the book. Since your retirement, I don’t get to talk to you as much as I used to . But I will always appreciate the friendship we had in the past. You’re a good guy Charlie Brown.
Hello Mr. Thomas,
Your kind daughter LeAnn gave me a copy of your Pipe Dreams book a few months ago. I really enjoyed reading it and learning about your experiences growing up in Kearney and developing your successful business. My husband and I moved to Kearney in 2000, so your book really gave me a peek into what Kearney was like years ago and how it has developed into a great community. I especially enjoyed reading how you persevered to overcome the challenges that having polio brought into your life.
Your story is a great example how anyone, even those with physical challenges, can overcome barriers and enjoy life to the fullest. I try to share this philosophy often within my position at The Arc of Buffalo County with the people with developmental disabilities and their families. I also have a 19 year old son who has autism and an intellectual disability, and my husband and I try our best to encourage him to be the best he can and overcome stigma and barriers.
My favorite part of your book is the last few sentences. “I wish you success in your dreams, whatever they may be. Believe. Even if you think they might be pipe dreams.” One of my favorite sayings is “Dream Big!” I also like the saying that “Dreams have no expiration date.” Thanks for reminding me to keep dreaming….
I hope you have a blessed Christmas season. Thanks for bringing your readers some joy with your inspirational life story!
Kristen Larsen
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments. I am so glad to hear that the book inspired you.
Thank you for all your work at the Arc of Buffalo County. It is a very valuable organization, and my grandson Dustin participates in a lot of activities with the Arc.
Lynn
I really enjoyed reading your book. Thank you to you and Lyann for taking the time to share all this with us.
I am Ann Jerrylynn’s Oldest daughter
Ann, thank you so much for writing. I hope you will stop out to Ace Irrigation sometime and see us.
Hi LeAnn, I just finished reading your father’s book and enjoyed it very much. As a former Kearney-ite, I especially liked the references to familiar names and places. It was like a trip down memory lane. I don’t know if you remember my family, but my father was Joe Redman of Redman’s Shoe Company. We came to Kearney in 1945 when my dad bought the store, and my parents lived there until the 1970s. The store is now owned by Dean Beavers.
I was born in Minneapolis in 1943, but my siblings, Nancy, Chuck, and Beth, were all born in Kearney. We lived at 811 West 29th Street for about 20 years. We lived 2 blocks from Harmon Park, and we would walk or bike over there almost every day. I was a member of the first graduating class of the “new” (now old) Kearney High School in 1961.
My brother Chuck remembers Ace Irrigation, and I’m sure my parents would have remembered lots of the people mentioned in the book. Too bad they didn’t get a chance to read it. My mom (Dorothy) died in 2007 and my dad in 2008. My siblings and I all live in Southern California, and my parents have 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
Sadly, I saw your dad’s obituary in the Kearney Hub online as I was getting ready to write to you. I was so sorry to see it, but I know he lived a long and very successful life. Isn’t it wonderful that he was able to write and publish his memoirs? Thank you for helping him write them.
My best to you and rest of your family.
Pat Redman Fuller
Simi Valley, CA
Pat, thank you so much for your kind comments. And thank you for getting in touch with us. I will email to make direct contact.
Kind regards,
LeAnn & the Thomas Family