Lyman "Tom" Thomas

Lyman Thomas "Tommie or Tom" Parish Thomas, 89, Glen Elder, was born July 2, 1930, in Cawker City to Lyman Thomas and Carmen Ersel (Forster) Parish. He died peacefully in his sleep early Sunday morning, October 27, 2019, at the Mitchell County Hospital, Beloit.

Due to the death of Tom's father when he was three, his mother taught school and he and his brother Dick were raised by their grandparents until his mother married Wayne Thomas, who then adopted Tom and Dick. Wayne died when Tom was nine and his mother married Noice Thomas.

Tom attended grade school in Dentionia and his freshman year in Esbon, after which his parents moved to Downs. He graduated from Downs High School in 1948. After graduation, he managed the Standard Oil service station, where Mary lou served as bookkeeper. He later worked at the Co-op grocery store.

He married Mary Lou McElfresh on September 6, 1950, at the home of her parents in Downs. Three children were born to this union, Thomas Randall (Randy), Susan Kay, and Michael (Mike) Lee.

Tom joined the Air Force on January 3, 1951, and was discharged on December 22, 1954. He served abroad as well as stateside. His home base was Lake Charles, LA.

After his discharge from the Air Force, some of the jobs he held were in the oil fields with Betts and Haliburton, NCRA, which was a refinery in McPherson, and Cessna Aircraft in Hutchinson.

Tom attended the Bear Valley School of Preaching in Denver, CO, from 1970 through 1972, after which he served as an evangelist for the church of Christ in Colorado and Kansas the rest of his life. He was a member of the Beloit church of Christ.

Tom is survived by his wife Mary Lou; children, Susan DeBey, Downs; Mike and wife Sheri, Lee's Summit, MO; daughter-in-law Rhonda, Iola; brothers Lee Thomas and wife Donna, Lee's Summit, MO; Bob Thomas and wife Sharon, St. Peter's, MO. Also, grandchildren, Brian DeBey, Beloit, Allen DeBey, Osborne; Jill Turner, Lee's Summit, MO; Stephen Thomas, California; Tricia Thomas, Kansas City, MO; Donna Marie Thomas Baral, St. Louis, MO; and eight great grandchildren. He is also survived by a host of friends, family, and church family.

Tom was preceded in death by his mother, father, two stepfathers, brother Dick, who died in a tragic plane crash in 1950, grandson Tommy Thomas in February 2013, and son Randy in September 2013.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM Saturday, November 2 at the Roberts Family Funeral Home followed by burial in the Downs Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 6-7:30 PM Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the Beloit Church of Christ.