Jerry Thomason Sr.

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Jerry Thomason Sr., 80, of Chaffee passed away Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012, at the family home.

He was born June 2, 1931, in St. Louis, to Nuble Jefferson and Fern Adelia Parker Thomason. He and Lola F. Miller were married March 13, 1956.

Jerry served 21 years in the U.S. Army, including two tours in Vietnam and one in the occupation of Korea. He retired as an sergeant first class from the 5th Special Forces in Fort Bragg.

Jerry was a truck driver with HWI and then Genesis Trucking in Cape Girardeau before retiring.

Survivors include his wife, Lola, of the family home; two daughters, Carla (Tim) Daniels of Raleigh, N.C., Anita Thomason of Chaffee; two sons, Jerry Dale (Mary Ann) Thomason Jr. and Jeff (Kathy) Thomason of Chaffee; a brother, Wayne Thomason of Hattiesburg, Miss.; 12 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by a brother.

Friends may call after 4 p.m. today at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the chapel, with the Rev. Frank Burgess officiating. Burial will be in Baker Cemetery near Marble Hill, Mo., with full military graveside rites conducted by Missouri Military Honors.