Leo Donald Thomas, 87, of Wilmar, passed away Saturday, December 23, 2023, at his home. He was born October 24, 1936, in Drew County to the late Cecil Thomas and Delta Mayo Thomas.
He was a retired carpenter and farmer, a member of the Green Hill United Methodist Church, and a United States Navy Veteran. Mr. Leo enjoyed hunting and fishing and was an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan, but most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family. He was very proud of his military service having served as a pipe fitter and boat maker in the Navy from 1956-1958 on the USS Hyman. While on shore leave, he went to a county fair and met his future wife Ellen Ruth. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Ellen Ruth Coulson Thomas; two brothers, Laverne and Horace Thomas; two sisters, Norma McMahon and Winona Ray; and a granddaughter, Anna Elizabeth Abney.
He is survived by three sons, Kenneth Wayne Thomas of Green Hill, Steven Lee Thomas of Batesville and Donald Scott Thomas of the Valley; one daughter, Teresa D. Abney (Mark) of the Valley; five grandchildren, Katie, Jennie, Sarah, Emily and Allison; five great-grandchildren, Kaley Ree, Ethan, Avery, Amelia and Addison; sisters-in-law, Lois Ray (Jim) of Litz, Pa., Alice Rothgeb of South Williamsport, Va., Jennie Griffith (Don) of Perryville, Md., and Mary Hunt (Roger) of Lancaster, Ohio; brothers-in-law, Mark Coulson of Conowingo, Md., George Coulson of Boca Raton, Fla.; along with numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation will be Thursday, December 28, 2023, from 1-2 p.m. at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. with Rev. Wayman Mann officiating. Burial will follow in Beulah Cemetery.
