Services for Emery Arvil “John Doe Smith” Thomasson, 88, Quinlan, were held Monday, June 23, at Quinlan Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Lonnie Erwin officiating.
Burial was in Lakeside Memorial Park with full military honors presented by the U.S. Marine Corps.
Mr. Thomasson died June 20, 2008, at his residence.
He was born August 15, 1919 in Crockett to Lewis Bird and Beulah Hearne Thomasson. He married Lola Mae Alexander in 1941. He was a carpenter and an entertainer, whose stage name was John Doe Smith. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Quinlan, and a lifetime member of the VFW. He served in the Marines and the Army and was a survivor of the Battle of Iwo Jima.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and 10 brothers and sisters.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Lola Thomasson; children, Mac Thomasson, Temple, Lee Thomasson, Eustace, B.J. Thomasson, Scurry, Jim Thomasson, Cookville, Tenn., Job Thomasson, Caney City, Isaiah Thomasson, and wife Candyce, Quinlan, Patsy Holland, Huntington, Tinnie Key, Gun Barrel City, and Darlene Lane, Canton; 20 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
