John Florent Thomas

November 8, 1932 - June 2, 2017

John Florent Thomas was born November 8, 1932 in Knoxville, Iowa the son of John Leroy Thomas and Lena (Vancenbrock) Thomas. He was raised in the Knoxville and Flagler areas. He served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. Following his discharge, John remained active in the National Guard. On December 20, 1958 John was united in marriage to Glenna Elizabeth Gee. He worked for Tom Wignall’s coal company for many years, running heavy equipment. John retired from Martin-Marietta in 1995, where he ran a barge pumping sand and gravel. John was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. John passed away on Friday, June 2, 2017 at the Oakwood Care Center, in Albia, at the age of 84 years. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Mark; wife, Glenna and siblings: Florent, Richard, Donald and Robert Thomas. Those left to cherish John’s memory include his children: Debbie (Randy) Brooks of Goddard, Kansas; Chris (Dan) Ebelsheiser of Tracy; Tony Thomas of Bussey and Michelle (Rick) Hammons of Albia; daughter-in-law, Laura Vos-Thomas of Pella; 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren and many other family members and friends. A Funeral Service for John Thomas, age 84 of Bussey, will be held on Monday, June 5, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bybee & Davis Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial, with Military Honors, will follow in the Bethel Cemetery in Tracy. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Comfort House of Pella.