Bobby Thomas Liberty, Kentucky Obituary

Bobby Thomas

<p>Bobby Eugene Thomas, 90, of Cynthiana, Kentucky, passed away on Tuesday, September 20, 2022. </p><p>Born April 21, 1932, in Casey County, Kentucky, he was the son of the late James Hardin Thomas and Arella Hatfield Thomas Wilhelm. </p><p>Bob was the loving husband of the late Mary Lou Ross Thomas, dedicated father and beloved grandfather. &nbsp;&nbsp;He was loved and respected for his devotion to family and to God. His work ethic, innovation and abundance of common sense served as invaluable lessons for his children and grandchild.&nbsp; To his family and those that knew him, there was practically nothing he couldn’t do, and truly represented well what many call “The Greatest Generation.” </p><p>Bob and Mary loved to travel and recognized the lasting benefits of sharing North America’s rich history with their children. To that end, with his innate sense of direction and Mary as his guide, Bob took his family cross-country on memorable and event-filled treks to every state capital and to many of the most significant historical, cultural and pop-cultural sites in every mainland state in the USA and in Mexico and Canada.&nbsp; </p><p>Bob was blessed with a quick wit and a charismatic presence.&nbsp; His childhood and young adult life in Casey County, Kentucky, in his U.S. Army service during the Korean conflict and in his work and family life was filled with cherished people and events that wove a life-tapestry of many colorful and memorable stories.&nbsp; When told that he should write a book detailing his experiences, he would typically reply: “If people read what all has happened in my life, they wouldn’t believe it, anyway.” </p><p>Bob hand-built homes and structures of log, brick, stone, frame, block and even adobe.&nbsp; His physical strength, work ethic, problem-solving skills and “can do” spirit set his employer’s official standard for every job he performed, and his many work innovations included designing the filtration method for making flexible plastic clear.&nbsp; </p><p>Bob accomplished much through his hard work and personal sacrifices for the benefit of family, but his true success was accepting God in his life and Jesus Christ as his Savior. His children are ever thankful for raising them to know the genuine strength, peace and hope that comes with the knowledge of the Word and the unshakeable faith in Him.&nbsp; In his many conversations with family and friends, he expressed his deep desire that more people would come to know that same peace and hope.&nbsp; He often said that “if even just one more person” could come to God, it is worth the collective efforts of all to reach out to others. </p><p>Bob’s love for his family and his moral lessons and leadership will be truly missed but will always be remembered and held dear by all whose lives he touched. &nbsp; </p><p>Survivors include: his daughter, Tanya Lou Thomas of Cynthiana; his sons, Bobby E. Thomas, Jr. (and wife, Patricia) of Georgetown and James S. Thomas (and wife, Lea) of Lexington; his grandson, Liam James Thomas; his sister, Mary Lee Mahlerwein and his brother, Dan Wilhelm. </p><p>He was preceded in death by an infant son, who died shortly after birth; his sister, Wilma McTarsney and his brother, Lanny Wilhelm. </p><p>Bobby was a member of the Scott County Church of Christ, in Georgetown, Kentucky, and loved his brothers and sisters there. </p><p>Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, September 25, 2022, at McKinney-Brown Funeral Home with Bro. Larry McCoy officiating. Burial will follow in South Fork Cemetery. </p><p>The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, September 25, 2022, at McKinney-Brown Funeral Home. </p><p>Arrangements for Mr. Bobby Thomas are entrusted to McKinney-Brown Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.mckinneybrown.com. </p>
April 21, 1932 - September 20, 202204/21/193209/20/2022
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Obituary

Bobby Eugene Thomas, 90, of Cynthiana, Kentucky, passed away on Tuesday, September 20, 2022.

Born April 21, 1932, in Casey County, Kentucky, he was the son of the late James Hardin Thomas and Arella Hatfield Thomas Wilhelm.

Bob was the loving husband of the late Mary Lou Ross Thomas, dedicated father and beloved grandfather.   He was loved and respected for his devotion to family and to God. His work ethic, innovation and abundance of common sense served as invaluable lessons for his children and grandchild.  To his family and those that knew him, there was practically nothing he couldn’t do, and truly represented well what many call “The Greatest Generation.”

Bob and Mary loved to travel and recognized the lasting benefits of sharing North America’s rich history with their children. To that end, with his innate sense of direction and Mary as his guide, Bob took his family cross-country on memorable and event-filled treks to every state capital and to many of the most significant historical, cultural and pop-cultural sites in every mainland state in the USA and in Mexico and Canada. 

Bob was blessed with a quick wit and a charismatic presence.  His childhood and young adult life in Casey County, Kentucky, in his U.S. Army service during the Korean conflict and in his work and family life was filled with cherished people and events that wove a life-tapestry of many colorful and memorable stories.  When told that he should write a book detailing his experiences, he would typically reply: “If people read what all has happened in my life, they wouldn’t believe it, anyway.”

Bob hand-built homes and structures of log, brick, stone, frame, block and even adobe.  His physical strength, work ethic, problem-solving skills and “can do” spirit set his employer’s official standard for every job he performed, and his many work innovations included designing the filtration method for making flexible plastic clear. 

Bob accomplished much through his hard work and personal sacrifices for the benefit of family, but his true success was accepting God in his life and Jesus Christ as his Savior. His children are ever thankful for raising them to know the genuine strength, peace and hope that comes with the knowledge of the Word and the unshakeable faith in Him.  In his many conversations with family and friends, he expressed his deep desire that more people would come to know that same peace and hope.  He often said that “if even just one more person” could come to God, it is worth the collective efforts of all to reach out to others.

Bob’s love for his family and his moral lessons and leadership will be truly missed but will always be remembered and held dear by all whose lives he touched.  

Survivors include: his daughter, Tanya Lou Thomas of Cynthiana; his sons, Bobby E. Thomas, Jr. (and wife, Patricia) of Georgetown and James S. Thomas (and wife, Lea) of Lexington; his grandson, Liam James Thomas; his sister, Mary Lee Mahlerwein and his brother, Dan Wilhelm.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, who died shortly after birth; his sister, Wilma McTarsney and his brother, Lanny Wilhelm.

Bobby was a member of the Scott County Church of Christ, in Georgetown, Kentucky, and loved his brothers and sisters there.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, September 25, 2022, at McKinney-Brown Funeral Home with Bro. Larry McCoy officiating. Burial will follow in South Fork Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, September 25, 2022, at McKinney-Brown Funeral Home.

Arrangements for Mr. Bobby Thomas are entrusted to McKinney-Brown Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.mckinneybrown.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bobby Thomas please visit our Tribute Store.

Events

Sep
25
Visitation
Sunday, September 25 2022
01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
McKinney-Brown Funeral Home
752 Campbellsville Street Post Office Box 188
Liberty, KY 42539
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Sep
25
Funeral Service
Sunday, September 25 2022
02:00 PM
McKinney-Brown Funeral Home
752 Campbellsville Street Post Office Box 188
Liberty, KY 42539
Get Directions
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