Larry Henry Thomas, 77, Linn, passed away peacefully Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, at home with his beloved wife Sharon (Hanks) and his family at his side following a lengthy battle with cancer.
He was born Aug. 17, 1946, to the late Dorothy (Heiman) Thomas and Lawrence “Buck” Thomas.
He was a 1964 graduate of Linn R-II High School and later graduated from State Technical College of Missouri in 1966, where he studied electronics.
Following graduation, Larry went to work for McDonald-Douglas in St. Louis. He then joined the U. S. Army and served his country during the Vietnam War.
Larry’s career spanned over 35 years in the workforce. Following his tour of duty in Germany, he was honorably discharged from the Army and returned to work at McDonald-Douglas in St. Louis. He later returned to Linn and began working for United Telephone (now known as Bright Speed), in Jefferson City, as a network technician, retiring in 2008 after 33 years.
Larry was an active member of the Freeburg American Legion Post 317 and a member of the Rich Fountain Father Arnold Knights of Columbus Council. He was a faithful Catholic and a member of Sacred Heart Church in Rich Fountain.
Larry was united in marriage to Sharon Hanks Feb. 28, 1969, in Jefferson City. They moved to Linn in 1972 and have called it home for over 50 years, raising two beautiful daughters, Laura (Jay) Schulte-Sicht, of Wardsville, and Stephanie (John) Brasher of Belton, Texas. He was very proud of his daughters’ accomplishments.
Larry was an avid outdoorsman. He loved spending time at Truman Lake with his wife and family enjoying water sports, fishing and boating. He also loved hunting on his farm and enjoyed many hunting trips to Colorado, Kansas and Wyoming. Larry and Sharon loved to travel, having been to over half of the United States on vacations and many trips to Texas to visit their daughter, Stephanie and her family.
The joy of Larry’s life were his five grandchildren, Olivia Brasher, Alex Schulte (Kim), Andrew Schulte, Evan Brasher, Aiden Schulte; and great-grandson Titan Brasher-Williams. He loved them more than life and was extremely proud of each of them.
Although Larry battled cancer for over 24 years, he always had a smile on his face, had time to share and so much love to give. As he wrote his final chapter, he knew his time on earth was shorter than he would have liked, but he lived a life full of enriching experiences and learned important lessons which he shared with his children and grandchildren. Life lessons such as have faith in God, honesty, kindness, humility, love deeply, respect others and look for the goodness in others.
Larry was preceded in death by parents Thomas and Dorothy; and sister, Cheryl Ann Thomas.
He is survived by wife, Sharon; daughters, Laura Schulte-Sicht and husband Jay of Wardsville and Stephanie Brasher and husband John of Belton, Texas; grandchildren, Olivia Brasher, Alex Schulte and wife Kim, Andrew Schulte, Evan Brasher and Aiden Schulte; and great-grandson Titan Brasher-Williams; sisters, Jeanette Kramer and husband Herb and Darlene Tyree and husband Ronnie; very close friends Mike and Abbie Duke and their children, Blaine and Eller; dog, Charley; and four grand-dogs, Oliver, Emma, Stella and Winston.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m., Monday, Sept. 11, at Sacred Heart Church in Rich Fountain with Fr. James Finder and Fr. Bill Debo officiating.
Interment with Full Military Honors followed in the Sacred Heart Church Cemetery.
Memorial contributions suggested to the American Cancer Society or to Sacred Heart Catholic School and Church.
Arrangements entrusted to Morton Chapel in Linn.
