C. Dean Thomas

C. Dean Thomas of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Quincy, Illinois, died at 6:15 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, at Chateau Girardeau Estates.

Dean was born April 19, 1920, in La Prairie, Illinois, the son of Art and Anna Sharrow Thomas. He married Dorothy Adams on March 10, 1944, in Pensacola, Florida. She preceded him in death Feb. 21, 2008.

Dean was a 1937 graduate of Golden High School and a 1948 graduate of Carthage College. He attended one year of graduate school at the University of Illinois.

Dean served in the U.S. Navy as an aviation machinist mate during World War II from 1942 through 1945.

He began his career with Moorman Manufacturing in 1949 as a salesman. He was shortly promoted to district manager, and within a couple of years he became state manager in both Michigan and Indiana. After seven years, he was promoted to regional manager. In 1964, Dean became the sales manager, retiring in 1985 as executive vice president of marketing and distribution.

After retiring, Dean and Dorothy moved to Bonita Springs, Florida, but maintained a home in Quincy until moving to Cape Girardeau in 2004.

Dean was a member of the board of directors of Moorman Manufacturing, Quincy Soybean, Quincy College, Spring Lake Country Club and Blessing Hospital, where he served a term as president. He was also a member of T.J. Pickett Lodge 107 AF&AM in Bushnell and Mohammed Shrine in Peoria, Illinois. Dean started the Kiwanis Key Club at Carthage College and Quincy College.

Dean was a member of Vermont Street United Methodist Church in Quincy and Centenary United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. He had attended First Methodist Church in Bonita Springs.

Survivors include three children, Suellyn Jane (Dr. Russell) Felker of Cape Girardeau, Patricia Ann Taul of Dallas and C. Dean (Bonnie) Thomas Jr. of Readyville, Tennessee; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Dean was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Eileen Irving.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home in Quincy.

A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Patty Johansen officiating. Entombment will be in the Quincy Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Please make memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society or the Salvation Army.

Online condolences may be shared at www.hansenspear.com.