Larry Thomas

Dr. Larry L. Thomas, 67, of
Carl Junction, Mo., went to be
with his Lord on May 26, 2013,
at the Missouri Veterans Home
in Mount Vernon, Mo.
As a member of the United
States Marine Corps, a full military
salute was performed at the
nursing home with the playing of
Taps following his passing. Visitation
will be on May 29 at the
FordWulfBruns Chapel, 2405
Woodland Ave, in Coffeyville,
Kan., from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. with
family visitation from 6 p.m. to 8
p.m. Funeral services will be at
10 a.m. on Thursday, May 30, at
the chapel with internment at
Restlawn Cemetery following
the service.
Larry Lee Thomas was born
on February 14, 1946, to Orville
and Bertha Thomas in Coffeyville,
Kan. Growing up in a
family of five as the youngest,
he quickly began to appreciate
the importance of family and
education. After graduating from
Field Kindley High School in
Coffeyville in 1964, he began to
pursue a career in education at
Coffeyville Community College
and completed his Bachelors
Degree at Pittsburg State University.
Larry later went on to
receive his Masters Degree and
Specialist Degree from Pittsburg
State and his Doctoral degree
from Kansas State University.
On May 21, 1971, Larry married
Judith Stevens of Tyro,
Kan., and they spent the next 42
years being parents to their four
sons Brian 39, Chad 36,
Derek 34 and Craig 29.
Larry loved spending time
with his family. He enjoyed
attending his sons ball games
when they were younger. Family
vacation was also special to
him. Whether it was a trip to an
amusement park or to a sporting
event, he loved the time he
spent with his wife and four boys
and treasured those memories
his entire life.
Education was also a vital part
of his life. Larry spent 35 Years
in education as a teacher, principal,
and superintendent in several
school districts in Kansas
including Protection 197374,
Mulvane 197476, Pomona
197679, Pawnee Heights
197982, Jefferson County
North 198286, Burlingame
198687, and Cherryvale
198792, but always considered
Coffeyville his home. He
was Superintendent of Schools
in Coffeyville from 199298. His
final job in Carl Junction, Mo.,
was extremely rewarding until
his retirement in 2005.
In his work, he would constantly
travel to the various
school buildings and often take
time to go in and read to some
of the younger elementary kids
during the school day. He loved
kids his own and the thousands
he helped supervise during
his time in education.
Larry was preceded in death
by his parents, Orville and
Bertha, and his sister Rosalie.
He is survived by his wife Judith,
of the home brother Harold and
wife Jackie of Coffeyville, Kan.
son Brian and wife Gina of Independence,
Kan. son Chad and
wife Kacie of Neosho, Mo. son
Derek and wife Meaghan of
Ellisville, Mo. son Craig and
wife Brandi, of Carl Junction,
Mo. and grandchildren Rylee,
Keegan, Noah, and Tanner.
In lieu of flowers, please send
donations in memory of Larry
Thomas to the Missouri Veterans
Home, 1600 S. Hickory St.,
Mount Vernon, MO 65712.