Thomas Jay Canter was born on January 6, 2002, at Cox South hospital in Springfield, Missouri. He passed away on February 17th, 2025, at the age of 23, due to cardiac arrest.  Our hearts are grateful he passed at a time when he was happy and full of life, and his death was swift and not drawn out where he had little time to be fearful.

Thomas was a chill baby and toddler.  He was late to crawl, cruise and walk.  He struggled to stand up, run and do physical things.  In September 2007, Thomas was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.  He never let his condition define him.  He came to be a staunch advocate for others with disability.  He spoke against society’s view that casts aside and limits individuals with disability.  Thomas was a member of the PPMD Adult Advisory Committee (PAAC) which represents the teen and adult voice of people living with Duchenne and Becker MD as an extension of Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) organization. He had the opportunity to be a speaker at a Cure Duchenne event in Columbia, MO and a PPMD regional event in St. Louis, MO.  He found a way to brighten the lives of those around him.  He used humor to put others at ease regarding his condition and being confined to a wheelchair.

Thomas was raised to be as independent as possible, encouraged to soar to whatever aspirations he had and to extend kindness to others even if they struggled to do the same. He did just that.

Thomas underwent spinal fusion surgery and fought his way through recovery. He fought health issues from mental health, heart, lungs, gastrointestinal, muscles/mobility and skin. He never let these get him down and remained a kind, positive and selfless person. His life was not an easy one, but he made the most of it.

Thomas led a full and active life.  He enjoyed spending time with his family.  He played video games with his friends. He went on adventures with family, friends and caregivers, to include PPMD annual conferences held in Chicago, IL; Denver, CO; Dallas, TX, Orlando, FL; Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) summer camps, and traveling to see family in California, Louisiana, Massachusetts and Ohio.  Thomas graduated Ozark High School.  He got a tattoo, “One Tough Vegetable,” which highlights his sense of humor.  He was a wealth of knowledge in peppers and making hot sauce.  He started his own Facebook page, Wheelz Mealz, where he would rate restaurants based on accessibility, food and service. Thomas held a job at Walmart as greeter/customer relations specialist in the lawn and garden area.  He valued this opportunity to be out in the community and contributing to the work force.

Thomas enjoyed life to the fullest extent he could, surpassing his life expectancy and blessing everyone who knew him.  He had one of the most kind and giving hearts. He would captivate any audience and brighten every room. He was courageous and braved things no child should have to.

Isaiah 40:31 states: “But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”  Early on with Thomas’s diagnosis this became our inspiration.  We knew that our reliance on God was essential as we walked this journey with him.

Thomas is survived by Parents: Tom and Debra Canter; Brothers: Enoch and Wyatt Canter; Dachshunds: Beret and Sniper; Grandparents: Kathleen and Charlie Shaw, Edward Guthrie, and Karen Canter; Uncle Kevin Guthrie, Aunt Donna and Uncle Kevin Tatum, Aunt Melany Graham; the Canter, Girens and Guthrie families; his extended K&C Stepping Stones, Walmart, Ozark Schools, Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Abilities First and Freemason families; his amazing caregivers: Jeanne Riden, Fred Albert, Tiffany and Stephanie Larreau, Shanon Blevins, Christina Daniels, Tina Horton, Katie Mantzouranis, Susan Haden, John Pearlstein, David Lynn, Rachel Carr and many more; and his closest friends: Noah Barber, Nate Kean, Elias Franklin, Jordan Pulliam, Xander Holmes, Alix Yen, Julie Lynn, Peyton Crump and Connor Hendrickson.

Thomas was truly a Blessing from God and will be greatly missed. We are grateful to everyone who had an impact in his life.

Celebration of Life for Thomas Jay Canter will be Saturday, March 8, 2025 from 1pm to 4pm at Ozark Middle School, 3600 State Hwy NN, Ozark, MO 65721

Please wear RED (Thomas’s favorite color) and please bring a poem, story, picture, drawing…something you wish to share with the family to reflect what Thomas meant to you.

Please consider donating to Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy in Thomas’ honor.  A dedicated donation page has been set up to make the process easy.  Here is the link for the donation page: https://donate.parentprojectmd.org/thomascanter or simply scan below: