Ronald Roy Thomas, 78, of Orrick, Mo., passed away unexpetedly on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at Ray County Memorial Hospital. Ron was born on October 12, 1939 in Kansas City, Kans., to William Richard Outersky and Melva Isabell Railey.

Ron attended school and graduated from Orrick High School with the class of 1957. He was a lifelong resident of Orrick. Ron was proud to be a resident of Orrick and was very supportive of the community and the school in many ways. He was united in marriage to Gladys Fern McGlothlin, she preceded him in death on March 28, 2007. Ron worked as an automobile assembler at the General Motors Assembly Plant in the Leeds district of Kansas City, Mo., from 1960 until he was forced to retire in 1979 for medical reasons. He later drove a school bus and coached for the Little League baseball in Orrick. He had been a board member of the Orrick Swim Club and the Orrick Country Cruisers Auto Club. He also liked guns and shooting them. He especially loved his grandchildren and his dogs, Missy and Sugar. Ron could be seen daily in the local shops around Orrick, visiting with his many friends and sharing stories with them. He also liked to ride around in his red pickup truck in and around Orrick. His presence is going to be greatly missed.

Ron was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Fern Thomas in 2007, Gene and Isabell Railey, and Roy and Ruth Thomas. He was also preceded by many close friends.

Survivors include two sons, Ronald Scott Thomas and Buddy Ray Thomas, both of Orrick; daughter and son-in-law, Brenda Kay Johnson and husband, Jerry of Orrick, Mo.; sisters, Darla Nash and husband, Paul of Camden, Mo., and Vickie O’Brien and husband, Bud of Richmond, Mo.; grandchildren, Brandon King, Roni Smith, and Landon Craig; great grandchildren, Kaylee King, Kaydon King, Kayson King, Brantley Johnson and Paisleigh Johnson; and nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Ron will be held Sunday afternoon, March 18, 2018 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Gowing Funeral Home in Orrick.

Funeral services will be on Monday, March 19, 2018 at 10 a.m. at Gowing Funeral Home in Orrick, with Rev. Art Endsley officiating. Burial will follow in South Point Cemetery near Orrick, Mo.

Memorials are suggested to The Orrick Fire & Rescue.