Gary Ray Thorpe

Monday, December 1, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Waters Funeral Chapel, 500 S. Main Street in Vandalia, Missouri 63382.
Officiating will be: Mr. Randall Kristofferson.
Music provided by: Letha Perkins & Donna Watson.
Interment will be in the Keith Cemetery in New Hartford, Missouri.
Pallbearers: Charles Scrogin, Glen Bailey, Dick Bloomfield, Don Hansen, Richard Jones and Bob Giltner. Honorary pallbearers: Charlie Livers and Dave Willis.

Gary Ray Thorpe passed away unexpectedly at 1:17 p.m. on Thursday, November 27, 2008 at relatives in Greentop, Missouri. Gary attended schools in Bowling Green, Missouri and lived in the New Hartford area until starting to work for Harbison Walker Refractories in the early 1970's. Gary worked for over 33 years as an air ram operator at Harbison Walker. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Vandalia. Gary was an avid NASCAR fan and he also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Born: June 25, 1954 in Louisiana, Missouri the son of Joseph Carroll and Clementine Viola (Ebers) Thorpe.

Married: Oksun Nancy Sin on January 4, 1980 in Vandalia, Missouri; she survives at the home.

Survivors include: wife, Nancy of Vandalia; two sons: Shane A. and wife, Audrey Stewart of Columbia, Missouri; Joey A. Thorpe of Fulton, Missouri; one brother: Jim and wife, Karla Thorpe of New Hartford, Missouri; two sisters: Brenda S. and husband, Gary Rutherford of Middletown, Missouri and Carolyn J. and husband, Walter Rude of Greentop, Missouri; two granddaughters: Taylor G. Courtright-Stewart of Cincinnati, Ohio and Evelyn F. Stewart of Columbia, Missouri; also survived by several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by: parents and one brother: Billy Joe Thorpe who died in infancy.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged to the American Diabetes Association, P O Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312-1454.