Fred Calvin Thomas, 81, of Springfield, Mo., died peacefully at home on September 9, 2010.
He was born on May 8, 1929 in Springfield and graduated from Springfield High School. He served in the Navy from 1948-1951. He met Bibiana Tasset when they were working at Lily-Tulip, and they married in 1956. He worked for Springfield Public Schools for 31 years. He was an avid reader, a great card player and loved telling jokes. He enjoyed traveling to visit family. He especially liked visiting Hawaii and Alaska.
He was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Vera (Stevens) Thomas; infant son Jerard and son Kirk; and sister Cleta Pruitt.
Fred is survived by his wife Bibiana; son Ray Thomas; daughter Kathleen Thomas and husband Eric Martin; son Martin Thomas; daughter Corinne Elliott; daughter Elaine Jow and husband Bill; daughter Cynthia AlvaradoCali and husband Job; seven grandsons, Greg and Chris Elliott, Nick and Tim Jow, and Alex, Lucas and Justin AlvaradoCali; sister Retha Matson; sister Idell Lewis and husband Bob; brother Larry Thomas; brother-in-law Jack Pruitt; numerous nieces and nephews; many other relatives; Jim Haas and other friends.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 13, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. in Greenlawn Funeral Home East. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Springfield National Cemetery, 1702 East Seminole Street.
Visitation will be held before the service, from 10:30-11:30 a.m., Monday, September 13, 2010 in the funeral home.
Family and friends may sign a guest book or send private condolences at www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com.