Thomas Louis Sportsman, 78, of Rayville, was called home, Sunday, January 2, 2022, at North Kansas City Hospital. 

Thomas was born on August 16, 1943, in Chariton County, the son of Louis and Juanita (Wilkins) Sportsman.  He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Judy Pike of Ray County on November 30, 1963; she survives of the home. 

Additional survivors include: three brothers: Arthur (Jackie) Sportsman, James Sportsman, and Samuel (Janet) Sportsman; and many nieces, nephews, and other beloved family members also survive. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Travis Pike Sportsman, brother, Wilber Len Sportsman in infancy, and four sisters, Christine Willis, Linda Thudium, Frieda Zimmerman, and Leona Hayes. 

Thomas was reared, educated, and baptized in the Rothville area and moved to Rayville in 1967.  He worked in construction and mining his entire career.  Thomas worked for Carefree Industries and LS Construction in Sugar Creek, where he retired in 2008.  He loved playing guitar, tinkering in his shop, and collecting and fixing guns.  Thomas was mechanically inclined and could fix anything.  He enjoyed mushroom hunting, was an avid animal lover, enjoyed hand fishing, but most of all he enjoyed his wife, Judy, who was the center of his life. Thomas was a wonderful family man. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Thomas’ favorite charity, Reno Ranch Animal Rescue.  They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home, 507 East Main Street-P.O. Box 190, Richmond, MO 64085. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, January 7, 2022, at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond.  Thomas will lie in state from 10:00 A.M. until service time, there will be no formal visitation.  Family is requiring masks to attend services.  Burial will be in Crowley Cemetery, Rayville.  Please remember to share your memories of Thomas with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.