Obituary of Thomas A. Capps

Thomas Alva Capps A Mass of Christian Burial for Thomas Alva Capps of Elsberry, MO was held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elsberry. Father Robert Zinser, church pastor, officiated with burial in the Elsberry City Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were his children and grandchildren. Tom, 73, died late Friday evening, June 16, 2006 at his home near Elsberry. Born January 26, 1933 near Elsberry, he was the son of Russell Lowell "Pete" and Octa Pearl Brainard Capps. He was united in marriage on May 2, 1953 in St. Louis, MO to Lorraine Elizabeth Seipp. This union was blessed with four children: Deborah Lorraine, Julie Ann, Thomas Henry and Mary Louise. Tom was employed for 35 years as a sheet metal worker at McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft Manufacturing in St. Louis, MO retiring May 31, 1993. After 35 years of marriage, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lorraine, on January 4, 1989. He was married again on March 20, 1993 in Elsberry to Lois Lee (nee Collier) Allen. Tom was a member of Aerospace Workers Local # 837 in St. Louis. A lifelong resident of northeastern Lincoln County, he was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elsberry. In 2005 he and his family founded the Twin Rivers Fly-Wheelers Association. He was preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Octa Capps; his first wife, Lorraine; one daughter, Debbie Capps, who died December 13, 1974; and one granddaughter, Shawnna Marie Phillips, who died November 20, 2004. Survivors include his loving wife of thirteen years, Lois Capps of Elsberry; one son, Tom Capps and his wife, Donna, of Elsberry; two daughters: Julie Kerpash and Mary Capps, both of Elsberry; three step-sons: James Allen, Jr. and his wife, Janie, of Eureka, MO, Rory Lewis Allen of St. Louis, and Jeffrey Robert Allen of Foley, MO; one step-daughter, Stacy Lee Kohenskey and her husband, Larry Jr., of Troy, MO; 15 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; and three step-grandchildren. He also leaves one brother, Eugene Lowell "Bud" Capps and his wife, Rosemary, of Clarksville, MO; one sister, Rosina Belle Coleman of Foley; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Monday, June 19, 2006 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. A Rosary Service was held during the visitation at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 South Fifth Street, Elsberry, MO 63343.