John Pershing Thomas, Sr.

John Pershing Thomas, Sr. John Pershing Thomas, Sr., age 86, a resident of Chillicothe, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, at Hedrick Medical Center, Chillicothe, Missouri. John was born the son of Claude and Irene (Barr) Thomas on February 9, 1932, in Marceline, Missouri. He was a 1950 graduate of Brookfield High School. He served in the United States Navy from 1950 until 1954, during the Korean War, as a PT Boiler Tech. He was united in marriage to Wanda Lucille Gann on October 7, 1954, in Independence, Missouri. She preceded him in death on November 1, 2015. John worked as a lead man at Donaldson Company, Chillicothe, Missouri, for 34 years, and was a member of the United Auto Workers Local #710. He was a member of Lifepoint Church, Chillicothe, Missouri. John enjoyed fishing, camping, baking, cooking, turkey hunting, and deer hunting. He was a jack of all trades and a master of all. John loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Survivors include four sons, John Thomas, Jr. of Chillicothe, Missouri, Bobby Thomas and wife Suzie of Chillicothe, Missouri, Walter Thomas of Chillicothe, Missouri, and Jerry Bagley of Arizona; two daughters, Fern Albertson and husband Jerry of Meadville, Missouri, Julia Sensenich and husband Greg of Chillicothe, Missouri; twenty-seven grandchildren; forty great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Wanda; one son, Harold Thomas; one grandson, Blake Briner; two brothers, Ben Thomas and Hubert Arnold; and one sister, Virlea Gann. Funeral services will be held at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Saturday, May 26, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. A scheduled visitation will be held at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Saturday, May 26, 2018, one hour prior to the service at 10:00 a.m. Friends may call at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Friday, May 25, 2018, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Burial will be held at Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Chillicothe, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhomes.com . Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.