Charles E. Thomas

LAUREL — Charles E. Thomas, 74, Laurel, died Feb. 14, 2019, at the Hillcrest Care Center, Laurel.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time March 16.

A memorial service will be March 16, at 11 a.m., at the United Presbyterian Church, Laurel, with the Reverends Jim and Kathleen Splitt officiating. Burial will be in the Laurel Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Laurel.

Charles Edward Thomas was born June 14, 1944, in Newcastle, to Roy Colwell and Margaret Eleanor (Carlson) Thomas. When he was 2 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. Charles married Sharon Lea Wray Aug. 31, 1968, 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, 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), Tacoma, Wash., and Courtney (Dale) Hruby, Dannebrog; three sisters, Margaret “Betty” (Roger) Newell, Rockford, Ill.; Jeanne (William) Stark, Centennial, Colo.; Carole Thomas, Laurel; niece, Charlotte (Mark) Larsen and their daughters, Megan, Carly, Katie and Sarah, all of Englewood, Colo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Colwell and Margaret Eleanor (Carlson) Thomas.