Robert L. "Bob" Thomas

CHARLESTON, IL –Bob passed away peacefully January 16, 2022, at Arbor Rose Memory Care in Charleston, IL, he was 82. Funeral services will be at Adams Funeral Chapel on January 19, 2022, at 1:30 PM with Pastor Mike Southards officiating. Visitation will be for one and a half hours before the funeral. Masonic Rites will be conducted. Burial will be at Janesville Cemetery.

A lifelong lover of sports, and an avid Chicago Bears and St. Louis Cardinals fan, Bob was born on September 17, 1939 to parents Vernon and Florence (Hightshoe) Thomas, (both deceased.) In 1956 he married his high school sweetheart, Barbara A. (Rardin) Thomas, (she survives.) Together they had two daughters, Cindy (Thomas) Myerscough (Kevin), Charleston, Kathy (Thomas) Schroeder (Brent), Charleston, (both surviving.) Four very bright lights in Bob’s life were his four grandsons, Rob Myerscough (Aimee Repking), Jeremy Myerscough, Jared Schroeder, (all surviving,) and Kyle Schroeder (deceased), all from Charleston. Later, five more very special ones in his life came along. His great grandchildren, Caden, Baley, Camden, Megan, and JJ Myerscough from Charleston, (all surviving.) Bob loved his grands and great grands and all were a great joy in his life. He enjoyed following their activities for many years.

Bob grew up on a farm south of Lerna, IL with his parents and five siblings. Sisters, Linda Tapscott, (surviving,) Donna Hall, (deceased,) brothers, Bud Thomas, Jim Thomas, Joe Thomas, and infant brother Jackie Thomas, (all deceased.) He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Bob worked as a barber for eight years in Charleston before partnering in business to operate the Everett & Thomas Sporting Goods stores. His next endeavor was the competitive sport of Harness Racing. This spanned for the last 25 years of his working career. He owned and trained many horses over those years and traveled many miles to race them in Kentucky, Iowa, Indy, Chicago, and Collinsville, as well as summer county and state fairs.

Bob has been recognized as one of the all-time great athletes in the history of Charleston High School. In 2003, Bob was chosen as the Honorary Manager of the CHS Holiday Basketball tournament, recognizing his athletic achievements. During his senior year in high school, Bob set the single season school record by scoring 113 points in his final football season. This season scoring record was held for nearly 50 years. He was also a member of the 1957 state basketball team, as well as setting a district record in the 180 yd. hurdles which held for 11 years. Bob was a member of the committee that began the CHS Holiday Tournament and remained a valuable supporter of the Trojans for many years. Later, he played center fielder on one of the best fast pitch softball teams in the state, the Casey Truckers. In 2005, Bob was named into the Casey Softball Hall of Fame.

Bob was very outgoing and could strike up a conversation with anyone. He will be dearly missed.  Bob lived his life to the fullest, and always wanted to be “on the go” somewhere. Hence, one of his favorite sayings “C’mon let’s get crackin”.

Memorials in his honor may be given to the Trojan Booster Club, Alzheimer’s Society or the donor’s choice and can be left at the visitation/service or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL  61920.

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