Rev. Johnny Thomas

The Rev. Johnny Thomas, 72, of Cape Girardeau departed this life Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, at Southeast Hospital.

Johnny was born July 30, 1940, in Oran, Mo. He confessed his hope in Christ at an early age. He and Earlean Clark were married May 13, 1962, at Sikeston, Mo.

He was preceded in death by his father, the Rev. Tom Thomas; his mother, Queen Esther Thomas; a daughter, Lisa Ann Thomas; four sisters; and three brothers.

Johnny leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Earlean Thomas of Cape Girardeau; four sons, John Thomas of Leavenworth, Kan., Eric Thomas (Emily) of Cape Girardeau, Patrick Thomas (Allison) of Kansas City, Kan., Derrick Thomas of Fort Stewart, Ga.; three daughters, Queen Payne (Calvin) of Cape Girardeau, Constance Renee Miller (Gregg) of Columbia, S.C., Nakeba Williams of Kennett, Mo.; a stepdaughter, Beverly Morris (Kenny) of Sikeston; a beloved granddaughter he and Earlean raised, Asia Thomas; 18 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Imogene Hayes (Percy) of Milwaukee; and a host of special family and friends.

He founded and headed a training program and was president of Bootheel SEMO Legal Services. He served as chaplain at Menard Penitentiary in Chester, Ill., Southeast Correctional Center in Charleston, Mo., and the Cape Girardeau Police Department. He was a counselor for juvenile delinquency.

He was president of the Bootheel Ministerial Alliance, president of Christian Liberty BTU Congress. He performed college campus ministry with Black Christian Fellowship. Johnny received a doctor of divinity degree and many other certificates of appreciation, and had many other accomplishments.

He was loved by many people of all walks of life. He would give where he couldn't give any more. He was a very dedicated soldier for God. He was a lover of people.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at La Croix United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Rob Mehner officiating. Burial will be in Sunset of Memory Cemetery in Sikeston.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Johnny Thomas Memorial Fund.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.