Joseph Lawrence Thomas

Joseph Lawrence Thomas, 73, of Grandview, MO passed away December 31, 2011. Visitation will be Wednesday 5-6 pm, a memorial service will follow at 6:00 pm on January 4 at McGilley & George Funeral Home in Grandview. Contributions suggested to the Salvation Army or Disable Veterans.

Joseph was born July 5, 1938 in Marshall, MO to Joseph and Juanita Thomas Thomas. He graduated from Slater High School. He was an Army Veteran, serving during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Joseph lived in Slater, MO and worked for the Railroad. He married Elizabeth Gieringer on November 27, 1965 and was a member of the Slater First Baptist Church. They moved to the Kansas City area in 1968. Joseph worked as a carpenter and a member of Carpenters Union Local 777 in Harrisonville. Joseph moved to the Lake of the Ozarks in 1977 and back to Kansas City in 1991 and worked as a carpenter until 1998. He then went to work for the Shawnee Mission Schools as a facilities Mgr for 2 years. Joseph worked at Sam’s Club for 7 years until his health began to fail in 2010.

Preceded in death by his parents, brother, Howard Mac Thomas and sister, Kathleen Smith.

Joseph is survived by wife, Elizabeth of the home; son, Lt Col Jeffrey and wife, Barbara Ann Thomas, Frederick MD and their children, Samantha and Joe Mac Thomas; daughter, Kristina and husband, Steve Davis of Parker CO and their children, Megan and Jack; sisters, Juanita Jo Epperson, Clarkston WA and Patricia Grigsby, Vicksburg MS; and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. Condolences may be made at www.mcgilleygeorgegrandview.com