ROBERT J. "BOB" THOMASON, age 90, a resident of Charleston died Saturday, November 8, 2014 at the Charleston Manor.

He was born April 26, 1924 in Bertrand to the late Robert L. and Mary Edith Johnson Thomason. A graduate of Diehlstadt High School, he served with the US Army Air Corps during WW II and returned to Mississippi County following his discharge. In 1948 he and Kenneth Walker opened Thomason & Walker Shell Service Station in Charleston where he served his community until his retirement in 1990. Upon his retirement, he was presented a commendation of appreciation from the city for his support and many involvements. He was the first President of the Charleston Jaycee's, a member of the Charleston Chamber of Commerce, an avid supporter of Girl Scouts and any other activities involving his daughters and was named Charleston's Man of the Year in 1986. While growing up, he was an active member of the Bridges Methodist Church prior to joining the Charleston First Christian Church where he served as an Elder, Chairman of the Board, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School superintendent, and in many other capacities including Worship speaker in the absence of a minister. He quickly found that full retirement was not for him so he began making deliveries for Terri K's Heartland Florist and accepted a position as service assistant with McMikle Funeral Home continuing his legacy of care for his community until 2010.

On January 29, 1950 he married Geraldine Rapert who survives of the home.

Also surviving are two daughters Becky (Charles) Tinsley of Charleston and Peggy (Mark) Bentlage of Cape Girardeau; two sisters, Mary Kathryn Rolwing of Charleston and Nadine Lynn of Paducah, KY; four grandchildren, Cade (Laura Jane) Coon and Alana (Paul) Mills all of Charleston, Andrew (Rachel) Bentlage and Charley (Cindy) Tinsley all of Cape Girardeau; seven great grandchildren, Stewart Coon, William Coon, Archer Bentlage, Mason Mills, Caitlyn and Chase Tinsley, and Camille Bohnert; also several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one brother, William Thomason; two sisters, Dorothy Pobst and Norma Thomason; and one granddaughter, Rebecca C. Tinsley.

Visitation will be held at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 10, 2014. Funeral Services will be conducted in the McMikle chapel at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 with Rev. Jim Malugen, pastor of the First Christian Church, officiating and Mike Grimes of Charleston serving as Eulogist.

Interment will follow in the IOOF Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.


Memorial contributions may be given to the First Christian Church. 109 S. Virginia Street, Charleston, MO 63834.