Stephen Thomas

Stephen Lee Thomas, 75, died on April 22, 2009 in his home. As complications arose from his illness, he kept his wry sense of humor to the end. He was born on April 11, 1934 to E. V. and Ethel Mae Thomas in Springfield, MO. He attended Greenwood School and SMS. He had a life long love of music and musical instruments. He played saxophone in the SMS Marching and Concert Band from seventh grade through his college graduation. Also while at SMS, he helped form the Bear Bops jazz band and was a member of the ROTC band. He completed the ROTC program and was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the US Army Signal Corp on May 25, 1955. He met Dorothy Ann Dwyier while in the SMS band and they were married on June 5, 1955.

After an army career that led to posting in New Jersey, Maryland, France, Texas, Korea, Colorado, Vietnam, Indiana, and the Pentagon, he retired as a Lt. Colonel and returned to Springfield. He jokingly referred to himself as a "gentleman farmer" as he and his wife planted numerous vegetable and flower gardens around their property. He was always good working with his hands and he enjoyed rebuilding the engines of several Triumph Spitfires as well as restoring a couple of player pianos and collected hundreds of piano rolls. An interest in computers that began while in the Army also kept him busy. He wrote an educational program to drill students on states and their capitals and sold it to the Springfield school system.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, E.V. Thomas, Jr.; and a brother-in-law, Francis Col�n.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 54 years, Dotty. Also surviving are his 3 children and their spouses: Annette and Steve Blair, Springfield, David and Leslie Thomas, Ozark, and Ken and Linda Thomas, Santa Clara, California; 9 grandchildren: Michelle Blair, Stephanie and Kevin Hove, Michael and Flower Blair, Matthew and Caroline Thomas, Tim, Kate, Rick and Betsy Thomas; 3 great grandsons: Miguel and Scott Blair, and Jonah Hove; one sister, Doris Col�n, a sister-in-law, Bonnie Thomas, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Jean Dwyier, and several close nephews and nieces.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday April 27, 2009 in Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home, 500 E. Walnut St. Burial with military honors will be at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday April 28, 2009 in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery. No visitation is planned.

The family extends deep appreciation to St. John's Hospice and Integrity Home Care for their compassionate care and support. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Southminster Presbyterian Church or St. John's Hospice. Online condolences can be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.