Sherry Lynn Thomas

Sherry Lynn Thomas (née Matzeder), 80, of Madison, Ohio by way of Leavenworth, Kansas passed away peacefully on Monday, July 21, 2025, in her home. She was born in Santa Rosa, California on October 15, 1944, to Leo Paul Matzeder and Verna Louise Matzeder (née Rush). She was preceded in death by her father, mother, and sister, Claudia. She is survived by her two brothers, Leo and Lee Matzeder; her son, Jason (Kristen) Thomas; and two grandsons, James and Charles Thomas. Sherry worked at Fort Leavenworth for over 29 years in various positions involving computer programing and war games.

Retirement wasn’t for her, so she attended beauty school to apply her artistic skills, which were honed by years of painting ceramics with Peggy Hundley and Teddy Shore, by doing nail art as a nail technician. After a few years as a nail tech, she took a job at the Leavenworth County Co-Op where she helped in their billing department. Sherry would be the first to tell you that she was an Army brat. She was quite the international traveler through grade school and high school. During the four years of high school, she attended seven schools in multiple countries. She absolutely loved sports. Through her 20s, 30s, and into her 40s, she played rec volleyball and softball in Leavenworth, KS. If she wasn’t playing sports, she loved to watch them. She enjoyed watching tennis, golf, and the Summer and Winter Olympics. However, she was fanatical about the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, and KU Jayhawks basketball. She married James “Red” Thomas on November 19, 1967. They divorced in 1991, but stayed close friends until James died on February 20, 2017.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Perry, OH Senior Center 2800 Perry Park Rd, Perry, OH 44081-9538. Private services will be scheduled at a later date. Behm Family Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online obituary and guestbook at www.behmfuneral.com