The FUNERAL SERVICE for Raymond G. Thomas, Sr. will be held at Hill and Son Funeral Home in
Appleton City, Missouri on Monday, July 29, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.

The MINISTER will be Reverend Mark Wilkerson.

VISITATION will held at Hill and Son Funeral Home on Sunday, July 28, 2013 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

INTERMENT will be in the Appleton City Cemetery.

The family suggests a MEMORIAL contribution can be made to the
Appleton City Lake Improvements Fund.

Raymond Guy Thomas, Sr., son of Guy O. and Effie L. (Rhodes) Thomas was born August 29, 1938 in Oakland, California. He passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2013 in Appleton City at the age of 74.

Raymond lived in Oakland, California for three months, and then the family moved to the family farm southeast of Appleton City where he grew up. When Raymond was 13 the family moved to Kansas City, Missouri.

Raymond served in the Army, and following an honorable discharge, returned to live in Kansas City where he met his wife of 54 years, Virginia Parker. They were united in marriage on October 17, 1959 at his mother's house in Kansas City. They continued to live in Kansas City while he worked at Black, Silvers and Bryson. They then moved to a farm in Bolivar for a few years before moving back to Kansas City where he worked for Hobart Manufacturing for 36 years before retiring in 1999. After retiring, they moved to Appleton City to be near his mother and sister.

Raymond loved fishing at the Appleton City Lake for Crappie and White Cat, deer hunting, growing vegetables in his garden and visiting with people. He didn't know a stranger.

Raymond was a very loving grandpa who did a lot of "raising", just like a dad. He loved camping and had camped every weekend with his grandkids.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Harlen Thomas; grandson, Raymond Connor, Jr., and mother-in-law, Mildred Duncan.

Survivors include: his wife, Virginia "Annie", of the home; son, Raymond Thomas, Jr.; daughter, Vickey Bolin, both of Appleton City; grandchildren: David and Tabitha Connor, Taberville, Missouri, Raymond Thomas III, Odessa, Missouri, Steven Thomas and spouse, Odessa, Missouri, Jennifer Connor, Appleton City, Brian and Nickey Bolin, Marshall, Missouri and Christina Thomas, Odessa, Missouri; 14 great-grandchildren; brother, Herschel Thomas, Springfield, Missouri; sister, Darlene Wanstreet, Appleton City.