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Larry Edward Thomas
Celebrating the Life of Larry Edward Thomas
1938–2026
Larry will be remembered as adventurous, cerebral, and endlessly inquisitive, with a quick wit and a shirt pocket reliably full of pens. He had a deep love for exploration—of the world, of ideas, and the outdoors.
Celebration of Life: April 26, 2026, 9:30-11 a.m., The Grill at Quail Creek, 1490 N. Quail Ridge Loop, Green Valley, AZ, 85614.
Larry Edward Thomas of Kennewick, Wash., passed away at the age of 87 in Green Valley, Ariz. Independent and curious, Larry was a life-long learner and adventurer. He will be remembered for his determination, agelessness, love of Mexican food, and willingness to hike anywhere.
He lived all around the country before settling in Richland, Wash., in 1974 with his wife, Mary, and their family. During a long career as a metallurgical engineer and electron microscopist in the Hanford Area, Larry spent his free time skiing and snowboarding (in the trees), kayaking (in rapids), and riding motorcycles (across North America and Europe).
After Mary’s death in 2022, Larry returned to the Tucson, Ariz., area for the winters, exploring the landscape of his youth by motorcycle and on hiking trails. Somewhat ironically, after his many adventures, he passed away from a head injury suffered while walking in his neighborhood.
Larry inspired and will be greatly missed by his partners in adventure: son Pete Thomas, Pete’s partner Jennifer Barbour, daughter and son-in-law Lisa Thomas and Elod Toth, grandchildren Anika and Elek Thomas-Toth, and a host of long-time friends. We all aspire to live as he did.
A quiet philanthropist, Larry supported the work of numerous charitable organizations. In lieu of flowers, consider honoring his memory with a gift to the Arizona Desert Museum, where he had hoped to be a docent, or Second Harvest Tri-Cities, supporting the people of the region he loved.
Please join his family in celebrating Larry’s life and adventures:
Sunday, April 26 at 9:30 a.m. at the Grill at Quail Creek in Green Valley, Ariz., or
Friday, May 29 at 4:30 p.m. at the REACH Museum in Richland, Wash.
Robert L. Shumate
Robert L. Shumate
Robert L. Shumate (Bob), age 88, passed away on March 25, 2026, at home with his wife, Joyce, by his side. A veteran of the United States Armed Forces, a leader in the automotive industry, and a true outdoorsman, Bob lived a life defined by discipline, integrity, and a deep love for his family.
Born on Feb. 21, 1938, in St. Louis, Mo., Robert was the son of the late Kenneth and Ada Katheryn (Yoakum) Shumate. Although born in the city, he spent his early years in Plattsburg, Mo., a place that helped shape the man he would become.
A man of great dedication and patriotism, Robert had a distinctive military journey. He joined the Navy Reserve in high school before enlisting in the United States Army. His precision and bearing earned him a spot in the Honor Guard, an elite assignment where he represented the highest standards of military ceremony and respect.
Following his military service, Bob applied his leadership skills to the automotive industry. He relocated to Colorado to advance his career on the sales floor, where his strong work ethic quickly distinguished him. His natural leadership paved the way for a successful management career, first with Chevrolet and later with Volkswagen, where he earned respect from colleagues and clients alike for his expertise and fairness. He received several recognition awards from both Chevrolet and Volkswagen.
Outside of work, Bob loved the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing golf. He found great joy on the golf course, where he often played with his friends in the Quail Creek Duffers. An avid sports fan, he could often be seen cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos, “Depending on who was winning that week.”
Above all, Robert was a dedicated family man. He is survived by his loving wife, Joyce; two sons, Kenny (Laura) Shumate and Jeff Shumate; and his grandson, Cole Shumate. He also leaves behind three brothers: Kenneth (Sandy) Shumate, Gary (Shelly) Shumate, and John (Leslie) Shumate. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Ada Katheryn.
Robert will be laid to rest with full military honors at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colo.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Robert’s honor to the American Legion or the National Rifle Association (NRA).
Richard Lee Henry
Richard Lee Henry, 86, a Quail Creek resident, passed away on Jan. 31, 2026, at his home in Green Valley, Ariz.
He was born Nov. 24, 1939, in Albuquerque, N.M. He graduated from Valley High School and went on to attend the University of New Mexico before earning his dental degree at Georgetown University Dental School. His dedication to dentistry spanned four decades through his private practice in Colorado and Virginia.
Richard proudly served his country as an active duty captain in the U.S. Air Force and later as a Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves.
He is survived by his wife, Penny Henry; sons Chip (Julie) and Rick (Karen); grandchildren Amanda, Taylor, Geoffrey, and Olivia; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Lois Henry; his sister, Janice Shepherd; and his stepmother, Dorothy Henry.
Outside of his professional life, Richard found joy at the ocean and spent many happy moments on the beach. He loved going on cruises, playing tennis, and capturing memories through photography.