Jesse Elmer Thomas, age 79, of Springfield, MO, passed away on Friday morning, December 9, in Cox South Hospital after a long battle with multiple myeloma. Jesse was born in Taney County, Missouri, on February 19, 1932, the youngest child of William Mack and Hattie Mae Thomas. He lived most of his adult life in Springfield, retiring as a salesman for Frito-Lay, Inc., in the late 1980's. Jesse was preceded in death by his parents, his younger son, Jesse Eugene Thomas , a brother, Eugene A. Thomas, and Jesse's in-laws, Bud and Minnie Kensinger. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Betty Jo, his son Steve and wife Jean Thomas of Springfield and their daughters Morgan Thomas of Overland Park, KS, and Jessica Loughrun and husband Neil of Lawrence, KS. Also surviving are Jesse Eugene's daughter Elizabeth Thomas and son Jesse Thomas and their parents Sam and Debbie Coring all of Springfield. He is also survived by his brother Robert Guy and wife Fern Thomas of Corpus Christi, TX, his sister Dorothy Ragsdale of Miller, MO, his sister-in-law Jeanne Myers of Springfield, and 20 nephews and nieces. After retiring, Jesse time spent many hours playing his mandolin and guitar with friends, fishing Beaver Creek with his friend Gary Henderson, hanging around with his friends from Frito, watching NASCAR racing, and enjoying the company of his grandchildren. He will be missed by all. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. Grave-side services will immediately follow at 1:30 in Panther Valley Cemetery, Hwy KK in Webster County, MO. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to the American Cancer Society. The family would like to extend grateful thanks to the RNs and PCAs of Cox South Oncology for their compassionate care during his final days.