Jackie Jorge Thomas, Sr.

SSG (Retired) Jackie Jorge Thomas, Sr., 80, of Junction City, died July 27, 2017 at Geary Community Hospital in Junction City. Jackie was born November 14, 1936 in Lepanto, Arkansas, the son of John and Hazel Thomas. He attended schools in Arkansas and joined the U.S. Army in January 1957. He made the military his career, and was discharged as a SSG, after serving more than 20 years in the Army. After his military career, he worked for Ebert Construction as a heavy equipment operator. He was a avid hunter and fisherman.

He married Alice Gale Bost on Oct. 3, 1968 in Oklahoma. They were later divorced. Survivors include: 4 sons, Jackie J. Thomas, Jr. and companion Rhonda Shaffer, Junction City, Dereck Thomas, Junction City, Robert Vance, Macon, Georgia, and Michael John Thomas, Abilene; 3 daughters, Susan Jane Thomas, Lawton, Okla., Cynthia Hale and her husband John, Tacoma, Washington, and Linda S. Van Boven, Junction City; a brother, Bill Thomas; 13 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. Jackie was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Clinton Thomas; a grandson, Jackie J. Thomas, III; and a granddaughter, Ashley Michelle Thomas.

Graveside services will be 1:00 p.m., Monday, August 7, 2017 at the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery at Ft. Riley, Manhattan. Military Honors will be provided by the U.S. Army Honor Guard from Ft. Riley. Memorial contributions may be given to Whitetails Unlimited, P.O. Box 720, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235.