Thomas L. “Tom” Lytle, 81, passed away May 18, 2024, at Azria Health Great Bend, Great Bend, Kansas. He was born on March 13, 1943, to Harry & Margaret (Moore) Lytle. On April 25, 1964, Tom married Shirley Hitschmann at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend, Kansas.
Tom, a lifetime resident of Great Bend, graduated from Great Bend High School in 1961 where he then proudly served in the Army Reserves from 1961 – 1971. He attended Wichita Barber College in 1963, working as a barber until 1969, when he purchased Lytle Roofing upon his father’s retirement. In 1975, following a workplace accident, he was forced to close the business. Tom later went on to own Keller Radiator for several years. He was particularly proud of his time at Bryant-Christian Funeral Home, where he and Don Gibson started the “pre-need program”. He ended his working career as a field appraiser for Barton County.
He was a member of Prince of Peace Parish, and enjoyed archery, hunting, and fishing. Tom especially enjoyed his grandchildren and never missed any of their activities including gymnastics, wrestling, softball, baseball, and football. His easy-going nature was like a magnet to children, especially nieces and nephews, and dogs were drawn to him. Tom cherished time spent with his family at their Woodland Park, Colorado, home near Turkey Rock Ranch, which he was a part of building from the ground up. Tom accepted an almost lifetime of pain and health issues following his accident, with grace and dignity.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley, of the home; one son, Evan Lytle and wife Kristi, of Great Bend; three grandchildren, Tori, Cody and Bryce Lytle; two brothers, Dick Lytle and wife Sue of Kansas City, Missouri, and John Lytle and wife Alison of LaCrosse; and two sisters, Alice Walter and Harriet Herzberg, both of Great Bend.
He is preceded in death by his parents; and brother-in-law, James Walter.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Great Bend, with Father Aneesh Parappanattu and Father Ted Skalsky presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery North, Great Bend, Kansas. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at Bryant Funeral Home, with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. Memorials have been designated to Catholic Charities or Holy Family School Endowment Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530.