Charles "Ray" Thomas

Charles "Ray" Thomas, 84, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011, at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo., following a brief illness. He was born Aug. 27, 1926, in Carthage, Texas, to Charles Ernest Thomas and Blanch Anderson Thomas. He married Betty Jean Thomas on Aug. 30, 1955, in Yuma, Ariz. She preceded him in death on Dec. 11, 2007.

Ray was raised in Carthage, Texas. At the age of 17, he entered the U.S. Navy with special permission. He served on-board the U.S. Navy ships during World War II and Korea. He was a lifetime member of the NRA. Ray lived and worked in El Cajon, Calif., most of his life. He retired from Montgomery Ward as a service technician after many years. He and Betty came to Nevada in 1992. Following his wife's death, he stayed in Nevada because of friends and neighbors whom he cared about and who cared about him. The family would like to thank all friends and neighbors in Nevada who took care of him.

Survivors include two daughters, Hilda Farnham and her husband, Mike, San Jose, Calif., and Molly Sumnet and her husband, Lonnie, Lakeside, Calif.; one son, Glen Thomas and his wife, Tammy, Oakdale, La.; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; one sister, Nell Sevey, Center Point, Texas; and one sister-in-law, Ella Mae Horn, Milo, Mo. In addition to his wife, Betty, he was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Lewis Thomas.

No services are planned. Arrangements are by Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

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