Leon Ellis Thomas

Leon Ellis Thomas, son of Curtis and Alice (Lamun) Thomas, was born in Buffalo, Missouri on April 23, 1941, and departed this life on Friday, October 7, 2022. He was at the time of his passing 81 years, five months, and 14 days of age. Leon was the middle of three children and was raised his entire childhood in Buffalo, Missouri. He graduated from Buffalo High School in 1959 and afterwards he made a move to Columbia, Missouri. There he attended the University of Missouri and graduated in 1961. In 1963 he was inducted into the United States Army where he would serve as a medic. He would faithfully serve his country for six years. Not to long after his discharge he was married to Donna Smith in Independence, Missouri on March 20, 1970. They were married for forty wonderful years until her passing on May 3, 2010. Leon spent most of his career as an Underwriter for Home Insurance and American Agriculture Insurance Company. He also had his real estate license and worked for Key Industries. His most recent employment was for the Buffalo, Missouri school district. Leon loved fishing but spent most of his time taking fish off of lines and rebaiting lines for his grandchildren. He was very patriotic and loved celebrating Veterans Day and the Fourth of July. He would faithfully place American flags on the graves of veterans and would host huge family firework displays. He was also the official driving instructor for all of his children, nieces, and nephews. His grandchildren loved his saying of, “Here we are for where we’re going. All in here for there get out!” His family loved when he would laugh so hard that he would remove his glasses to rub his eyes, and his eyes would disappear because of his huge smile. Leon loved God and was so very thankful for His forgiveness. He was very involved in his church and when he could, he would attend every service offered. Leon was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son, David Jones; one grandchild, Shane; and brother-in-law, George Adams. He is survived by one son, Rick Jones & wife Shirley of Grain Valley, Missouri; three daughters, Vickie Dugan & husband Darrell of Phillipsburg, Missouri, Patti Allen & husband Ralph of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Rebecca Imes & husband John of Merriam Woods, Missouri; one daughter-in-law, Tami Jones; one brother, Lynn Thomas of Buffalo, Missouri; one sister, Sharon Adams of Columbia, Missouri; two nephews, Mike Adams of Kansas City, Missouri and Phil Adams of O’Fallon, Missouri; one cousin, Larry Byrd of Independence, Missouri; 13 grandchildren; Brian, Jeff, Timmy, James, Charles, Kyle, Katie, Jeremy, Holly, Matthew, Ben, Brittany, and Dylan; 16 great-grandchildren; and six great great-grandchildren. He is loved he will be missed dearly. Graveside services for Leon will be held at 2:30 P.M. on Friday, October 14, 2022, at the Lindley Cemetery located off of Lindley Rd. in Buffalo, Missouri. Bro. Caleb McClure will be officiating, and escorts will be Dylan Imes, Cody King, Devon Young, John Imes, Mike Adams, and Seth Reed. In lieu of flowers the family request that memorial donations be made to the Lindley Cemetery Fund.

Leon Ellis Thomas

April 23, 1941 - October 7, 2022