Kevin E. Thomas

Kevin Eugene Thomas, 61, of Cairo, Missouri, passed away, Thursday, March 14, 2024,in Columbia, Missouri.   

He was born in Clinton, Missouri, February 15, 1963, to William and Virginia (Smith) Thomas. 

At age 18, Kevin followed in the footsteps of his father, joining the US Air Force and he was mainly stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

After being honorably discharged from the USAF, Kevin pursued a long career in the food service industry, beginning at his aunt and uncle’s restaurant, Deluxe Café in Clinton.  After that, he worked most of his career for the Country Kitchen restaurants in Clinton, Sedalia, and Moberly, Missouri.  He may have started as a dishwasher, but he worked hard to learn every aspect of the service industry, putting him in a great position to handle the day-to-day operations as the general manager for many years.  Every day brought different challenges, but he loved his customers and hard-working staff.

He was also handy at repair and maintenance work.  After leaving the food service industry, he put those skills to work at M & M Utilities, Sherwood’s Signs, All Weather Canopies, and the Macon Housing Authority.

Outside of work, Kevin was an avid racing fan and regularly went to both NASCAR and NHRA drag racing events in Kansas.  His love of cars started with his 1970 SS Chevelle, and he never let go of his 1976 Corvette Stingray he purchased before his youngest son was born.  Friends and family enjoyed racing his go-carts in Moberly and at his current home.  Kevin learned to play the guitar at age 10 and his love of live music was evident in how he kept track of all the events he attended from Summer Jam concerts at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City to the smaller ones at The Blue Note in Columbia, Missouri. 

Kevin put his skills to work in all aspects of his life, helping both his sons with various home improvement projects on their first homes.  He was also good to his friends, neighbors, and other family members.  He would give them a place to live, mow their yard, help with home repairs, or anything else they needed.  Even stranded motorists on 63 Highway could count on his help.   

He was proceeded in death by both his parents.  He is survived by two sons, Sheldon Thomas of Moberly, Missouri, and Justin Thomas of Huntsville, Missouri, one sister, Yolanda (Travis) Burnett of Columbia, Missouri and other relatives and friends.

Kevin had a good heart which gave out before any of us were ready to say good-bye.  In lieu of flowers, Memorials to the Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri or the American Heart Association would be appreciated.   

Words of comfort and support were shared with the family at a visitation that was held at the Cater Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral services honoring and celebrating Kevin's life followed.  Committal prayer, Military Honors and burial took place at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, Jacksonville, Mo.