Ishmael Theodore "Ted" Thomas, age 102, of Richmond, died Thursday, October 20, 2022, at Oak Pointe of Kearney.

Ted was born on May 18, 1920, in Robbins, OK, the son of John Wesley and Frankie Rosanna (Vandiver) Thomas.  He was united in marriage to Bonnie Lee Watkins of Jasper, AR; she preceded him in death on October 27, 1996.

Survivors include: two sons, Jonathan David (Carol) Thomas of Watsontown, PA, and Wallace Boyd (Janelle) Thomas of Overbrook, KS; daughter, Marqueta Gail (Bob) Green of Polo; two grandchildren, Jason (Terra) Wunder and Taleisha (David) Christensen; 2 great-grandchildren, Kendall Sue Christensen, and Oliver Benjamin Wunder.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and 13 siblings.

Ted was reared and educated in Tahlequah, OK.  During World War II, he proudly served his country in the United States Navy.  Ted went through the shortest bootcamp in the Navy's history and worked in the machine shop at Pearl Harbor.  After returning from the Navy, Ted met and married his wife, Bonnie, and moved to Oregon; they had three children.  Ted and Bonnie later moved to Shawnee, KS, where Ted started working for a grain elevator.  He went on to work for Koppers Manufacturing Company as a troubleshooter.  Ted traveled all over the world fixing problems for the company.  Ted was very mechanically inclined.  He enjoyed collecting old woodburning stoves and antique rocking chairs.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond.  Graveside services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at Pine Ridge Church of Christ Cemetery, 31019 RT-95, Gainesville, MO 65773.  Military Honors provided by the United States Navy.  Please remember to share your memories of Ted with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com