Jonesboro- Michael Gene Thomas, 66, passed away Monday, August 14, 2017 from complications arising from leukemia.

Mike grew up in Newport News, Virginia, joined the Navy and served as a hospital corpsman. His service to his country included posting in Charleston, South Carolina, Great Lakes, Illinois, Jacksonville, Florida, and Albany, Georgia. Following his service, he began his nursing career in 1978 and later became a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in 1982.

His medical career spanned thirty-nine years. His skill and care improved the lives of more than twenty thousand patients, many of them veterans like himself. He left a legacy of healing.

Mike enjoyed golf, time with his family and friends, good music, and a good laugh. He will be missed.

Mike is preceded in death by: his father, Edward Thomas; his mother, Ruby Thomas; and his brother, Robert Bennett.

He is survived by: his wife, Connie Thomas; his daughters and their husbands, Crystal and David McDaniel and Amanda and Brian Meadors; and his grandchildren, Abigale, Ella, Gus, Tabitha and Mason.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am, Thursday, August 17, 2017 at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in Birdeye with Rev. Rex Darling officiating. Interment will follow under the direction of Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home.

Lasting memorials may be sent to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Leukemia and Lymphoma Society @ www.lls.org.