Charles Dale Thomas, 84 years, 7 months, 27 days old, passed peacefully to Heaven on January 25, 2024 at his home surrounded by family.
Dale was born May 28, 1939 in Bertha, Missouri to Wayne and Maude (Heath) Thomas.
On February 12, 1981, Dale and Betty Legitt were united in marriage in Houston, Texas.
He was a Christian and a member of the Evansdale Community Church.
Dale was a self employed crop duster and owned his airplanes for 29 years in Texas. Dale and Betty together started the Pioneer Descendants Gathering. Dale was a self taught wheelwright. He made the wagon wheels for the event and for several people. They put their heart and soul creating this for the community which was a lot of hard work but a whole lot of fun. They also were caretakers of the Yates cemetery for several years. Dale enjoyed playing music, gardening, farming, his tractors, wagons and hunting. He loved visiting with people, and they likewise loved him and his kindness.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Freda Thurman and Ima Stillings Sellers; brothers, Delmar Thomas and Arlie Thomas; and his grandson, Jacob Coffer.
Dale is survived by his wife, Betty; his children, Adonia McLean, Billie Jo Miller, Debra Ferguson, Patricia Jones, Vickie Parnell, Cynthia and Tonya Thomas; numerous grand and great grandchildren; siblings, Juanita Eddings, and Lowell and KathyThomas; many nieces; nephews; other relatives and many friends.
In Dale’s own words, “It’s been a good life.”
Funeral services for Dale will be Monday, January 29, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. in the Clinkingbeard Chapel in Ava with burial following in the Yates Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to the service at 10:00 A.M. Officiating will be Pastor Dale Garrison. Family requests memorials be made to the Yates Cemetery.
