GAINSVILLE, Missouri — Joel Earnest Thomas, 77, died July 9, 2009.

He was born Jan. 2, 1932, in Mishawaka, Ind. to Paul Christner and Manie Franklin Miller Thomas.

He married Nancy Gordy on Oct. 24, 1985.

A veteran of the the United States Army, Joel was a sixth grade teacher at Sargent School for 22 years before retiring.

He was a member of the National Education Association, National Rifle Association and a former member of the Elks, as well as a member of the First Presbyterian Church, West Plains, Mo., having served as an Elder.

His parents and one sister, Arthine Richardson, precede him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy Thomas, of Gainesville, Mo.; nephew, Michael Paul (Joan) Richardson and family: niece, Janet (Edmund) Olsen and family; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Tom and Kathy Gordy, David and Dana Gordy, Richard and Barbara Gordy and Jean and Martin Hanley, along with many nieces and nephews and their families.

Memorial services were July 17, at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, Mo.