Emmett E. "Gener" Thomas, 86, of Brazil, died at 2:50 a.m., Oct. 8, 2005, at Clay County Health Center. Born July 29, 1919, he was the son of Charles and Nellie Mitchell Thomas. He graduated from Bridgeton High School in 1935. He served in the U.S. Army as a Staff Sergeant and spent most of his military career guarding the Panama Canal. Feb. 12, 1949, he married Marjorie Smith. He was employed by Modern Welding and Boiler Works, working in various capacities, namely as a pattern maker or draftsman. He retired in October of 1976. He was Past Master of Masonic Lodge 264 and a Deacon and Elder at the First Christian Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings: Mildred Styles, Isabele Harbison, Delsa Brattain, Lawrence Thomas, Jacob Thomas, Don Thomas and Robert Thomas.

Survivors include his wife Marjorie, and a daughter Candice and son-in-law, Eric Brown, of Canyon Country, Cal., as well as two grandsons, Chad Brown and Greg Brown, also of California, and a sister, Eva Jane Courtney of Brazil.

Services will be at Lawson-Miller Chapel, Wednesday Oct. 12, 2005, at 11 a.m. with Brother Greg Comp officiating. Burial will follow at Calcutta Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. Visit www.lawson-millerchapel.com to light a candle in his memory.