Joseph Wayne “Butch “Thomas

Joseph Wayne “Butch “Thomas, 69, of Armorel, passed from this life on Friday, July 24, 2020, at St. Bernards Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Born to Joseph Henry Harrison Todd and Shirley Grace Thomas at the Army Base in the Panama Canal Zone, he was a maintenance mechanic with Nucor Hickman and of the Christian faith. “Butch” served his country with honor in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. Butch loved to fish and hunt and was constantly working in his yard or garden. He had a large shop where he spent a lot of time working on engines and all different types of equipment. However, the shop was also his “Man Cave” and he loved a good party as much as anyone. One of his greatest joys was to barbecue and drink “Bud Light” with family and friends. Above all else, Butch loved his family and was willing to do anything for them.

“Butch” was raised by his grandparents, Wayne Franklin and Emma Vitrue Thomas, who preceded him in death. Also preceding him were his parents and sister, Janet Hill.

“Butch” is survived by his wife, Diana Sue Bishop Thomas of the home; children, Stephanie and Chris Bulmer of Dodge City, Kan., Loren Wayne and Dena Thomas of Vienna, Ill., Katrina and John Hall of Eddyville, Ill., Veronica and Wendell Byer of Gosnell, Danielle and Matthew Medvik of Piedmont, Mo.; brothers, Kenneth Charles and Nancy Thomas of Kevil, Ky., Johnie Bob and Margaret Everroad of Memphis, Tenn., Michael Everroad of Memphis, Paul Douglas Everroad of Memphis; sisters, Geraldine and Jim Vaughn of Georgia, Michelle and Mike Farmer of Florida and Charlene Harner and her husband Dallas of Vienna, Ill.; 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 29, at 10:30 a.m. in the Cobb Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Tommy Burns officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Cobb Funeral Home. Burial will be private. Following the State of Arkansas COVID-19 guidelines, no more than 100 people will be allowed to gather inside of Cobb Funeral Home at one time and practice social distancing, keeping a 6-foot distance between one another. Face masks are required to enter the building. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.