Larry R Thomas

Larry Roger Thomas (Rog), age 80, of Oakdale IL, passed away at 11:53 p.m. on Saturday July 16, 2022 at  Memorial Hospital in Belleville. 

Rog was born February 23, 1942 in Perry Co Illinois. The third son of Wilbur and Ollie (Jones) Thomas. He married Bobbie Sue (Finke) on December 7, 1963. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. Roger worked hard as a bricklayer, farmer, and coal miner. His favorite job was building lakes with his best friend Joe Gill. He built his family’s lake in 1984, which became and remains a haven for the Thomas family and friends. His favorite pastimes were fishing, hunting, bird watching, smoking his cigars and spending time with friends and family at his lake.  He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Nashville and Legion Post #110. 

Rog “Big R” will be remembered as an avid outdoorsmen teaching his sons and grandchildren many skills and life lessons. He was a quiet and stoic man but those closest to him knew how much he loved and cared for them. He was a loving husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and great grandfather affectionately called “Gramps”. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years Bobbie Sue. His sons Brian Dean Thomas (Rena) of Oakdale and Bradley James Thomas (Rhonda) of Pinckneyville.

His five grandchildren: Whitney Sauerhage (special friend Mark), Chelsea Niemann (Jeff), Britney McGregor (Lake), Brinna Thomas (special friend Hadley) and Tyler Thomas.  Great grandchild Mary “Lizzy” Niemann.

Siblings: Wilbur Thomas (Marcie), Clara Mae “Butch” Heflin (Les), Lonnie Thomas (Marty), Susie Richmond (Brice), Judy Motsinger (Vaughn), Shirley Mossa (Steve) and Sherry Colston (Bill).  Brothers-in-law Don Finke (Shirley), Daren Martens and Ronald Shrum.  Sisters-in-law; Connie Lopez (Mike) and Rosanne Thomas.  Along with many nieces and nephews, countless loved ones and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws; Leo and Laverna Finke, son Brett Alan Thomas and siblings; Billy Dean, James Ray, Myrtle “Sis” Shrum and Patty Martens and a sister-in-law Ruth Thomas. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Nashville with Rev. David Benning officiating.  Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until service time on Saturday at the church.  Burial will follow in the Concord Cemetery in Rice with military rites accorded by the Nashville American Legion Post #110.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Trinity St. John Lutheran school. Styninger Funeral Home in Nashville is in charge of arrangements

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