Thomas LaGree (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Thomas Clay LaGree, son of Warnie E. and Silver Wells LaGree, was born October 9, 1912, in Hesston, Kansas. He departed this life Saturday, April 28, 2012, in his home, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of ninety-nine years, six months, and nineteen days.
On December 26, 1941, he was united in marriage to Elnora Virginia Newman, and to this union two daughters and one son were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Elnora, on February 20, 1995; a grandson, Mark; two brothers, Willard and Ellis; and two sisters, Valley and Edna.
Thomas is survived by a son, Michael C. LaGree, of Jackson, Missouri; two daughters, Nancy E. LaGree, of Richland, Missouri, and Lynn A. LaGree, of Lebanon, Missouri; two granddaughters, Becky and Amy; two great-grandsons, Josiah and Jacob; four great-granddaughters, Meranda, Nora, Naomi, and Madison; two great-great-grandsons, Hayden and Jesse; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in Kansas. He then moved to Oklahoma where he began working on pipeline for the Shell Oil Company. He served his country faithfully in the United States Army from 1941 until 1945, during World War II. He served in the Second Division, Third Battalion of the Ninth Infantry Regiment and was part of all five major battles in the European Theater. For his valiant service, he was awarded the Purple Heart, and many other medals. He then returned to work in the oil business and moved to the Richland, Missouri area in 1957. He retired from Shell Oil Company in 1963. Thomas continued to work in various positions for the next several years, and the family moved to Conway, Missouri, then to Newton, Kansas, Stockton, Missouri, and Warsaw, Missouri, before making their home in Lebanon, Missouri, following his work. He worked for Quality Courts in Lebanon for several years, eventually retiring in 1995.
Thomas was saved during a revival at Richland First Baptist Church and was baptized on October 25, 1959.
In his spare time he enjoyed being outdoors where his favorite activities were hunting and fishing. He possessed a delightful sense of humor and enjoyed the slapstick side of having fun. His family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed all of his grandchildren.
Thomas was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that his family and friends will treasure the wonderful memories he made for them throughout the years.
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