Charles E. Thomas

Charles E. Thomas, age 74 of Laurel, Nebraska died on Thursday, February 14, 2019 at the Hillcrest Care Center in Laurel, Nebraska. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 16th, 2019 at 11:00 am at the United Presbyterian Church in Laurel, NE with the Reverends Jim and Kathleen Splitt officiating. Burial will be in the Laurel Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until service time on Saturday, March 16th. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Laurel. To send online condolences, please visit www.wintzrayfuneralhome.com Charles Edward Thomas was born on June 14, 1944 in Newcastle, Nebraska to Roy Colwell & Margaret Eleanor (Carlson) Thomas. When he was two years old, the family moved to a farm place north of Laurel. He attended school and graduated from Laurel High. After high school, Charles served in the National Guard. On August 31, 1968, Charles married Sharon Lea Wray in Lake Oswego, Oregon. After their marriage, Charles and Sharon moved to a farm place north of Laurel where he farmed until the mid-1980s. Charles then began driving truck. He worked for several different trucking companies until he retired in 2014. Charles was very involved in the United Presbyterian Church in Laurel. He was part of the Masonic Lodge as well as the Veteran’s club. He loved being a part of the Laurel community and enjoyed helping and interacting with others in town. Charles also enjoyed playing pool at the senior center. Charles is survived by his two daughters, Heather Jean Thomas (Ann Darin) of Tacoma, WA, Courtney (Dale) Hruby of Dannebrog, NE; three sisters Margaret “Betty” (Roger) Newell of Rockford, IL, Jeanne (William) Stark of Centennial, CO, Carole Thomas of Laurel; niece Charlotte (Mark) Larsen and their daughters Megan, Carly, Katie, and Sarah all of Englewood, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Colwell & Margaret Eleanor (Carlson) Thomas.