Charles A. Thomason

Charles Aron Thomason, 73, Carthage, Mo., passed away Friday, Jan. 2, 2009, at his home in Carthage. Charles was born Nov. 2, 1935, in Granite City, Ill., the son of Charles David Thomason and Ruby Hazel (Johnson) Thomason. He married Sarah Hanjora in Dec. of 1956, in Rockville, Maryland, she survives. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1952, serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. During his 30 year career in the Navy he served as a Hospital Corpsman attaining the rank of Hospitalman First Class with the distinction of serving in the Fleet Marines. After his retirement in 1972, he became a member of the Corpsman Association and the Marine Corps League of Nebraska. He was active in the American Legion, Tarkio, Mo., Lions Club of Tarkio, Kansas City Masonic Lodge and was a 32nd degree Knight Templar in Hiawatha, Kan. He was a volunteer for the Tarkio Toys for Tots, the Tarkio Public School System serving as a crossing guard. His favorite hobbies were fishing and talking with friends. He was loved by his family and grandchildren and lovingly remembered as “Grandpa Stumpe”. Survivors include his wife, Sarah, of the home; two daughters, Mischelle S.. Adams and husband, James, Sullivan, Mo., and Lucie R. Williams and husband, Bill, Carthage; three sons, Richard A. Thomason and wife, Dena, Pacific, Mo., Charlie Thomason and wife, Kim, Chipley, Fla., and Hank Jordan and wife, Amanda, Granite City, Ill.; five sisters, Betty M. Billick, Venice, Ill., Janie Reynolds, Alton, Ill., Georgia Kitterll, Holly Hills, Florida, Mary Jo Stratton, Granite City, and Leean Campbell, Owensville, Mo.; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers; and one son, Larry Jo Thomason. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Memorial gifts are suggested to the American Lung Association. Arrangements are under the direction and care of Knell Mortuary, Carthage.