Theodore Rayford Thomas, 77, Schell City, the only son of Victor Warren and Beatrice (Brown) Thomas, was born March 21, 1932, on a farm south of Schell City. He passed from this life at 11:52 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19, 2010, at the Ellett Memorial Hospital in Appleton City.
Ted grew up in the Schell city area and graduated from Schell City High School in 1950. He worked briefly as a farmhand before entering the United States Navy in February 1951. He was honorably discharged in 1955. During his service time, he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal, National Defense Medal and the United Nations Service Medal.
On Feb. 26, 1956, Ted was united in marriage to Norma Jean Goble and to their union four children were born. Ted and Norma made their home locally and for many years. Ted farmed and hauled livestock. Around 1970, Ted started operating the
Standard Service Station that he ran for about 13 years. While running the station, he also worked as City Marshall and was subsequently hired by the Vernon County Sheriff’s department as a deputy. He worked in law enforcement from 1983 to 1996, serving five and a half years as Vernon County Sheriff. After retiring, he continued to work part time transporting prisoners for the county as needed. He also ran the city road grader and volunteered countless hours on area improvement projects.
Ted was a member of the Harwood Baptist Church, Schell City Rural Fire Department, Schell City Lions Club, Schell City South Ward Alderman, Schell City Community Betterment, Missouri Sheriff’s Association, State Line Peace Officers Association and was a more than 50 year member of the Schell City Lodge #447 AF and AM joining in 1956.
Ted was preceded in death by his parents; one sister; and his daughter, Raejean, who passed away Nov. 30, 2002.
Survivors include his wife, Norma, of the home in Schell City; one son, Jerry Thomas, and his wife, Michelle – Hume; two daughters, Teri Thomas – Schell City, and Jackie McCammon, and her husband, Jason – Adrian; one sister, Edith McCoy, and her husband, Kenny – Schell city; 10 grandchildren – Christy Goodman, and her husband, Jared, Jeremy Maus, Becky Hill, and her husband, Nick, Brent, Travis, Kelsey and Brittany Thomas, Katelyn Johnson, and her husband, Chan, and Jordyn and Emily McCammon; seven great grandchildren - Cayla, Logan, Bryce and Jackson Goodman, Ethan Maus and Raeah and Raeleigh Hill.
Services were held Tuesday, Feb. 23, in the First Baptist Church in Schell City with Brother Doug Reynolds officiating. Musical selections were Life’s Railway to Heaven and Angels Among Us. Pianist was Winkie Smith.
Pallbearers were Tom Haddix, Paul Palmer, David Bell, Larry Dade, Kenny Hallam and Quentin Goodman. Honorary pallbearers were Ron Peckman, Chris Spratt, John Randall, John R. Hoagland, Jim Goodman, Drue Hoagland, Rex Diehl and Kenny McCoy.
Interment with military honors followed at the Green Lawn Cemetery in Schell City.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Schell City Community Building or the Schell City Rural Fire Department.
Arrangements for Mr. Thomas were entrusted to the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home in Schell City.
