McCUNE — Alvin E. “Chigger” Thomas Jr., 64, of rural McCune died Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013, at his home.

He was born Dec. 9, 1948, at Parsons the son of Alvin E. Thomas Sr. and (Eleanor) MARIE (Ross) Thomas.

He graduated from McCune Rural High School in 1967. He attended Labette County Community College.

He married Connie Lee McCaslin on July 20, 1968, at McCune. They farmed and partnered in owning and operating the Strauss Implement Co.

They had two daughters, Cherie Marie and Lori Lee. In 1978, Alvin and Connie began operating Liberal Implement. After selling this business several years later, Alvin worked at Fort Scott as a dispatcher for Lease-way Transportation. He was in the Kansas Army National Guard 891st Engineering Battalion until 1984, when an injury forced him to be honorably discharged.

Alvin and Connie divorced July 1986. He moved back to McCune to farm. He was caregiver for his ailing father until his father's death March 8, 2008. He is also preceded in death by his mother, Marie Thomas, on March 13, 1974.

He is survived by his daughters, Cherie (Kevin) Schenker of McCune and Lori (Travis) Horton of Pittsburg; four grandchildren, Wyatt Smith, Josie Smith, David Schenker and Suzanna Schenker, all of McCune; and three brothers, Calvin L. (Louise) Thomas of Pittsburg, Melvin C. (Anne) Thomas of Burlington and Francis L. (Susan) Thomas of Girard.

The service will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at McCune Methodist Church with the Revs. Myron Stover and Linda Eads officiating. Burial will follow in the McCune City Cemetery.   The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Derfelt Funeral Home at Oswego.

Memorials may be made to the McCune Memorial Park Fund c/o Southeast Kansas Community Foundation.