Obituary of Lucky Ichiban Thomas

Lucky was born on March 18, 1994, at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, California. He was a miracle to his parents Lucky Robinson Thomas and Monika Thomas who welcomed him one year after his brother Zinge passed away at 5 months old. Ichiban arrived strong, a week late, and clocking in at over ten lbs, with a shoulder breadth that marveled the nurses. From the very beginning, the themes of strength, defiance of punctuality, and awe followed his every step in life. As a child, Ichiban spent his early years exploring the hills of Lompico, chopping firewood for neighbors, constructing 50-foot rope swings, and working on various projects with a hammer and shovel in hand. He carried his beloved yellow brick-grabber everywhere, eager to help in any way he could. At the beach, while others dug in the sand with brightly colored plastic shovels, Ichiban wielded a steel shovel twice his height, delighting everyone by making the work go much faster. His natural physicality became one of his defining qualities, embracing each task with playful determination. A simple walk down the road often led Ichiban to climb a tree, balance on a ledge, or perform a backflip into the nearest body of water. He loved discovering new trails, hidden overlooks, and quiet roads, always eager to share them with friends. His conversations were as varied as his interests — from odd historical facts and engineering feats to creative business ideas and made up stories about people passing by. Yet, the most lasting memory of Ichiban is his infectious smile and laughter. The joy on his face from catching a baby trout looked nothing less than conquering the world. Ichiban’s adventures took him from the mountains of the San Lorenzo Valley to national parks, Indian reservations, and distant corners of the world. He had a deep love for Germany, where he spent summers with his grandparents, traveling with friends, and learning the language. His next trip was scheduled to be this spring.  His academic journey led him to Santa Barbara, where he earned three Associate Degrees in Math, Physics, and Engineering. But his entrepreneurial drive quickly led him into the world of business. With an uncanny ability to make deals, spot undervalued assets, and predict market trends, Ichiban ventured into the legal cannabis industry. He first established a foothold in Santa Barbara with Duber in 2017 and later moved to Paso Robles, where he founded Send IT Delivery in 2021, one of only two licensed delivery services in the county. Through his hard work and persistence, he successfully lobbied for the expansion of cannabis licensing from medical to recreational use, and was in the pursuit of opening a downtown storefront, as soon as he and his partners got the county to agree. His business success allowed him to buy his first home, which he consistently improved and expanded. Ichiban also maintained a diverse collection of vehicles — a fleet of mostly used Prius cars, a truck, a van, a motorcycle, a trailer, and a boat that, despite its worn appearance, his friends affectionately called his “yacht.” Ichiban hardly ever bought anything new; everything he owned was upcycled — found on the side of the road, bought undervalued on Craigslist, or repurposed into something entirely new. He had an extraordinary talent for turning other people’s trash into treasure. Ichiban’s circle of friends was as expansive as his smile. He was surrounded by those who lifted his spirits, challenged his thinking, and celebrated the best in him. From his childhood friends in Lompico, who shared 25 years of unforgettable memories, to his high school crew who always made him laugh, to his best friend Charlie from Santa Barbara who stood by him through thick and thin, to his business partner, his cat Baby Smallz, and the strong loves that he experienced in his life. They were there for him, and he was there for them. His family, too, was vast and far-reaching, with relatives in Denmark, Germany, Oakland, Washington, DC and beyond. He was often the glue that kept everyone connected, always checking in and especially looking up to his older brother Indeko and sister Nahmyo. Ichiban loved his mother dearly. He folded her into all his projects as a trusted adviser and thought nothing of the drive between Atascadero and Santa Cruz, and neither did she. They visited each other often, talked daily, and traveled together as best friends. He shared so much with his father, Lucky, especially a pair of powerful and steady hands. They loved each other deeply, and even though Lucky lived until a ripe old age, his loss in 2021 hit Ichiban hard. Ichiban left this world on Monday, November 25th to join his father Lucky and brother Zinge in a realm that we cannot yet see, for a mission that we may never understand. He was taken from us too soon and our loss is profound. But we know that a spirit as powerful as his cannot be contained by death, and we accept that neither could it be contained by life. As he travels on, we carry with us how he made us feel. How we felt in those moments of his sweet embrace and his beautiful laugh. May his energy enliven us. May his determination help us through tough times. And may he now rest in peace.