Michael Thomas

Michael Ray Thomas, a man of courage, faith, and unwavering love for God and his
family, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on February 21, 2026, at the age of 70,
surrounded by family in Columbia, Mo. Born on September 24, 1955, in Batesville,
Arkansas, Michael's life was defined by service to others, a quest for adventure and
enough creativity and genius to achieve a lot of his dreams.
From his early years in law enforcement and police work in Saline County, Mo., to the
moment he landed his first jet flight on the USS Enterprise as a US Navy pilot, his
dreams were bigger than life.
Mike was a husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend whose legacy lives on in the
lives he touched. He is survived by his former wife, Kathy Thomas, of Camdenton, Mo.,
and three children – Jennifer Michelle Doss (Chris) of Carrollton, Mo., John Michael
Thomas (Heather) of Columbia, Mo. and Connor Seth Thomas (Sarah) of Marshall, Mo.
He is also survived by his fiancé, Brandiss Jackson, and her children, Colton, Georgie
and Jordyan, whom he loved as his own.
He is the loving grandfather of Chase, Jayce, Chloe and Crissa Doss of Carrollton, Skylar
Doss of Tightwad, Ruth Imogene and John "Jack" Emerson Thomas of Columbia, Mo.,
and Van Wyatt Thomas of Marshall. He is also survived by 2 great grandchildren.
He is also survived by one sister, Alesia Thomas Thayer (Randy), of Shelbyville,
Kentucky, two uncles, Greg Billingsley (Dana), of Shackelford, Mo. and Van Carlton
Thomas, Batesville, Ark.; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
He lived with this scripture dear to his heart: "To live is Christ, to die is gain." Phillipians
1:21.
Masonic services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 27, 2026, with funeral
services following at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Marshall with William W.
Harlow officiating. Burial with military rites will follow at Ridge Park Cemetery in
Marshall. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral
home. Memorials are suggested to Marshall Trilumina Lodge #205, Arrow Rock
Masonic Lodge # 55 or your local church. An online guestbook is available at
www.campbell-lewis.com