Kenneth C. Thomas

Kenneth C. Thomas, 82, of Pekin, IL passed away at 10:43 am peacefully on Monday, August 22 at his home. Ken was born on October 18, 1939 in Pekin to Carl and Bernice Thomas. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Don Cranwill. He is survived by Susan his wife of Pekin, one son, Troy (Joan) Thomas of Hendersonville, NC; one daughter, Beth Thomas (Craig) of Camas, WA; two grandchildren, Drew (Liya) Thomas and Taylor (Daniel) Shifflet, and two great grandchildren Hattie and Piper; three sisters, JoAnn Cranwill, Joyce (WC) Morgan, and Sharon (Butch) Parkin all of Pekin. Ken graduated from Pekin High School in 1958. He played football and basketball all four years. He loved sports! Ken was an entrepreneur and started his own business at a very young age. Ken Thomas Construction was a thriving business for over twenty years and he built many buildings in Pekin that still exist today. He built Woodscape Apartments, Audubon Estates, Valley High Estates, as well as dealerships on Auto Row. He built countless other commercial and residential buildings. He was a perfectionist, visionary, and extremely hard worker. In his free time, he enjoyed sailing, skiing, motorcycle rides, and being with his family and friends. He and Susan sailed Lake Michigan and throughout Florida, the Bahamas, and even to Cuba. Ken skied often in Colorado and went to almost all 50 states on his motorcycle. He was a longtime member of the Illinois Valley Yacht Club and Longboat Key Club Moorings. Ken and Sue spent their winters in Longboat Key, Florida for over ten years where he enjoyed being on the Sarasota Bay. He had a sense of adventure and lived life to the fullest. Family and friends of Ken are invited to pay their respects at a visitation this coming Saturday, August 27 from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm at Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory. Inurnment will be at a later date in Glendale Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donors choice. Visitation Saturday, August 27, 2022 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory 2131 Velde Dr. Pekin,Illinois 61554