Wayne Thomas, age 84, of Duenweg, passed away on Sunday February 17, 2019 at Joplin Gardens in Joplin. Mr. Thomas, son of the late Joe and Irene (Owen) Thomas was born on March 24, 1934 in Fair Grove, Mo. On August 21, 1955 in Springfield, Mo he was united in marriage to Charlene Reaves. He was a United States Army veteran having served his country honorably. Wayne started his career at Sears & Roebuck in Joplin, where he managed the shoe department for over 25 years, later he owned and operated Tomco Metal Fabrication for 30 years until his retirement in 2010. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Duenweg and very active in the Joplin Little League.

Survivors include his wife, Charlene Thomas, of Duenweg; two sons, Danny Thomas, and his wife, Jana, of Joplin, and Steve Thomas of Joplin; one brother, Jimmy Thomas, and his wife, Connie, of Fair Grove, Mo; two sisters, Marilyn Smith, and her husband, Terry, of Fair Grove, Mo, and Carol Ann Coble, and her husband, Bob, of Strafford, Mo; three grandchildren, Jinger Lee, and her husband, Robert, Stefani Thomas, and Gabriel Thomas; and four great-grandchildren, Oakley Slaughter, Knox Lee, Taylor Lee, and Evan Lee.

Funeral services will be held on Friday February 22, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Mason-Woodard Mortuary in Joplin with burial at the Mt. Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friend on Thursday February 21st from 6:00pm till 7:00pm at the mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fair Grove Historical Society and may be entrusted to the mortuary.