Larry Henry Thomas

Larry Henry Thomas, age 77, of Linn, passed away on Friday, September 8, 2023, peacefully at home with his beloved wife Sharon (Hanks) and his family at his side following a lengthy battle with cancer.  Larry was born August 17, 1946, to the late Dorothy (Heiman) Thomas and Lawrence “Buck” Thomas.  In addition to Larry’s parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Cheryl Ann Thomas.

Larry was a graduate from Linn R-II High School (1964) and State Technical College of Missouri (1966), formerly Linn State Technical College, where he studied Electronics.  Following graduation, he went to work for McDonald-Douglas in St. Lous.  He then joined the United States Army during the Vietnam War.  He 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 was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Rich Fountain.

Larry and Sharon united in marriage on February 28, 1969, in Jefferson City, Missouri.  They moved to Linn in 1972, which they have called home for over 50 years, raising two beautiful daughters, Laura (Jay) Schulte-Sicht, of Wardsville, and Stephanie (John) Brasher of Belton, Texas. Larry was very proud of his daughters’ accomplishments.    

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 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 one 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. 

In addition to Larry’s wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild, he leaves behind his two sisters, Jeanette (Herb) Kramer and Darlene (Ronnie) Tyree, very close friend Mike and Abbie Duke and their two children, Blaine and Eller, and his dog, Charley, and four grand-dogs; Oliver, Emma, Stella, and Winston.  

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at Sacred Heart Church in Rich Fountain.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, September 11, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Rich Fountain with Fr. James Finder and Fr. Bill Debo as the Celebrants.  Interment with Full Military Honors will follow in the Sacred Heart Church Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the American Cancer Society or to Sacred Heart Catholic School and Church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Morton Chapel, Linn, Missouri (897-2214)

www.mortonchapel.com