August 23, 1952 – April 8, 2010

James L. Thomas, 57 of rural Orrick, died Thursday, April 8, 2010 at Ray County Memorial Hospital in Richmond, Mo.

James was born on August 23, 1952 in Lexington, Mo., to Richard W. and Margaret Ruth (Ross) Thomas. He was a lifelong area resident. He was a graduate of Orrick High School with the class of 1970.

James had worked at Ford Motor Company Claycomo Assembly plant for four years and later worked at the General Motors Fairfax Assembly Plant as a forklift operator for 32-1/2 years and retired in 2006

He was a member of the Orrick Baptist Church and UAW Local #31 in Kansas City, Kans.

James loved to hunt and fish and especially loved to restore old trucks and cars with his son, Aron.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard W. and Margaret Thomas, and a brother, Richard W. Thomas Jr.

Survivors include his children, Shannon Thomas of Lee’s Summit, Mo., Julie McGill and husband, Brian, of Orrick, Mo., and Aron Thomas and wife, Sara, of Orrick, Mo.; brothers, Don Thomas and wife, Kathy, of Orrick, Mo., and Glen Thomas and wife, Karyl, of Liberty, Mo.; a sister, Paula Boles and husband, Rick, of Orrick, Mo.; and his grandchildren, Alex McGill, Zane McGill, Terry McGill and Trenten Thomas.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, April 11, 2010 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Gowing Funeral Home in Orrick.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, April 12 at the Gowing Chapel with burial following at South Point Cemetery near Orrick.

Condolences

To the Thomas Familys: so very sorry for your loss. Jim was a wonderful person. Our prayers are with you all. Turn to God and he will help you through this sorrow.
Stacy and Kim Kolosick

We are sorry for your loss. We pray that God will watch over you in the days and months ahead and hold you in his loving arms. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Gene and Esther Waight

So sorry for your loss, our prayers are with your family.
John and Janice Griffith

My thoughts and prayers are with all the family.
Steven Nail