Willard Richard “Red” Thomas March 1, 1942 – September 2, 2026 Willard Richard “Red” Thomas, 84, of Brookfield, Missouri passed away peacefully on September 2, 2026, in Columbia, Missouri. Red was born March 1, 1942, in Brookfield, to Willard and Eva (Gilbert) Thomas. He was a 1960 graduate of Brookfield High School. In 1962, he proudly joined the United States Army, serving honorably for three years. After his discharge, he returned home to Brookfield where he continued a remarkable 46-year career with Pepsi-Cola Bottling. On May 9, 1981, he married the love of his life, Janet Loucks. To this union she brought a son, Bradford, and together they added a daughter, Tasha. Red was known for his love of friends, his willingness to help anyone in need, and his strong work ethic. Many would say he was shy at first, but he never missed an adventure with his friends. He loved being a husband and a dad, but he took his greatest joy in his role as Papa. He believed it was his responsibility to teach not only his kids, but also his grandkids, a true love of donuts. He is survived by his wife, Janet Thomas of the home; sister, Margaret Twitchell of Horn Lake, Mississippi; brother, Robert Thomas of Brookfield, Missouri; daughter, Tasha and husband Josh Rodriguez of Cole Camp, Missouri; son, Bradford Thomas of Chillicothe, Missouri; grandchildren, Grant, Abbi, and Addison Rodriguez of Cole Camp, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Eva Thomas and brother in law Ben Twitchell. Visitation will be held Tuesday beginning at 4:00 p.m. at Rhodes Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Trinity United Methodist Church with burial to follow in Park Lawn Cemetery. Memorials to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital may be left at the funeral home.
Source: KMZU, The Farm
