Leland Keith Thomas, 62, of Middletown, passed away unexpectedly at 7:54 a.m., Monday, November 13, 2017 in rural Middletown.

Mr. Thomas was born March 21, 1955, in Wellsville, Missouri, a son of Lindell Deon and Fern Maxine (Wortman) Thomas.

He was a 1973 graduate of Wellsville-Middletown R-1 High School.

On November 29, 1975 at the United Methodist-Presbyterian Church in Wellsville, Missouri, he married Teresa Ann "Terri" McClain. They have lived at their home in rural Middletown since 1991 and Keith had lived in Middletown all of his life.

Keith was the owner/operator of Thomas Excavating. He started working with his dad in 1973 and they formed a partnership in 1985, Thomas and Son which later became Thomas Excavating.

He was a member of the Middletown Christian Church. Keith was also a member of Middletown Lions Club, former board member of Middletown Community Center and Fairmount Cemetery Association.

Keith enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding his mule and watching sports. He also liked playing cards and working crossword and jigsaw puzzles. More than anything, he loved his grandchildren.

Keith is survived by his wife, Teresa Ann "Terri" Thomas, of the home in Middletown; daughters, Kimberly "Kim" Stephens, of Hallsville and Melissa "Missy" Darr, of Columbia; three granddaughters, Lydia and Kaylee Stephens, of Hallsville and Payton Darr, of Columbia; brother, Larry Thomas and wife, Mary, of Middletown; sister, Linda Gastler and husband, Jim, of Martinsburg; father-in-law, Bill McClain, of Wellsville; sister-in-law, Linda Brace and husband, Steve, of Warrensburg; brother-in-law, Dennis McClain, of Wellsville; nieces and nephews, Meredith Thomas, Brian Thomas, Rachel Whalen, Justin Gastler, Madelynn Gastler, Rebecca Norfleet and Justin Brace; aunts, Alice Thomas, of Florida and Margie Bishop, of Georgia; in addition to a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lindell and Fern Thomas and mother-in-law, Peggy Ann McClain.

Visitation was held from 4:00-8:00 p.m., Thursday, November 16, 2017 at the Myers Funeral Home in Middletown.

Funeral services were at 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 17, 2017 at the funeral home. Rev. John Foster officiated. Serving as organist was Mary Thomas. Special music was provided by Jim and Nancy Dunn, Larry Dunn and Tara Calton.

Burial was in Fairmount Cemetery in Middletown, Missouri. Serving as pallbearers were Mick Bentz, Dan Beshears, Pat Brennan, Marty Lionberger, Mike Joe McCurdy, Terry Pritchett, Brad Shramek and Dean Wille. Honorary pallbearers were Leon Cobb, Dick Lemasters, Matt Norfleet, Lance Stephens, Garland Willis and Bob Woodson.

Memorial contributions were suggested to Middletown Community Center, Middletown Lions Club or the charity of the donor's choice c/o Myers Funeral Home, 203 East Bates Street, Wellsville, Missouri 63384.

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