Lawrence Thomas, 79, of Ville Platte, LA passed away Monday, March 21, 2016. A native of Ville Platte, LA, he was a resident of Port Arthur for 50 years and retired in 1989 from Laborers Local #853.

He is preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers and 4 sisters.

Lawrence is survived by his spouse of 60 years MaryAnn Thomas; seven children, Patricia Foster (Fredrick), Carl Thomas (Joanne), Linda Gail Thomas (Stevie), Kathy Prevost (Kelvin), Yolanda Thomas, Veronica Thomas (Michael) and Jermaine Thomas; siblings, Walter Thomas (Louanna), Frank Thomas (Linda), Leroy Thomas (Petra), Lee Rogers (Sherri), Gerald Thomas, Mercedes Bennett (Foster), Geneva Mayfield (Donald) and Edith Hayden (Charles); 18 grandchildren; and a host of great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, March 26, 2016 at Gabriel Funeral Home Chapel with visitation from 12 noon until service time. Burial will follow in Live Oak Cemetery under the direction of Gabriel Funeral Home.