Thomas A. Gilkerson, 78, of Frontenac, Kansas, passed away on February
9th, 2023, after a long illness. He was the son of Othal and Lavina
(Herdt) Gilkerson. Thomas was born on April 29, 1944, in Salina, Kansas, and was the oldest of twelve children. He was preceded in death by his
parents, infant sister Geneva and brother Marvin.
He is survived by
his wife of the home Anne (Teeter) Gilkerson and three adult children.
His oldest daughter is Jenna and husband Larry Watson of Aurora, MO.
Daughter Adina and husband Tony Sanchez of Pittsburg, KS. Son Travis and
wife Kristine (Hilgart) Gilkerson of Hewitt, WI. Tom has four
grandchildren, Ciara and Roman Sanchez and Andrew and Emma Gilkerson.
Tom is survived by siblings: Lela and husband Jim Ziegelmeier of
Salina, KS, Lila and husband Wayne Krug of Salina, KS, Virginia Reed of
Katy, TX, Verlin and wife Liz Gilkerson of Elk Grove, CA, Verna and
husband Bill Organ of Henderson, Nevada, Wilmer and wife Gail Gilkerson
of Marysville, KS, Lorraine Samuelson of Oakley, KS, Stanley and wife
Esther Gilkerson of Burkburnett, TX and Pam Jackson of Hermitage, TN.
Tom grew up and attended schools in Oakley, Kansas. He served in the US
Army at Red Stone Arsenal in Alabama, working with the Nike Hercules
Missile System. He attended college at Fort Hays State University before
marrying his wife, Anne Marie Teeter, on November 26, 1966, in Oakley,
KS.
Tom worked with several companies in his adult life including:
Beech Aircraft, Addressograph, Ruffin Fertilizer, Grainger Farm Supply,
and Certified Laboratories. He enjoyed working with southwest Kansas
industries and small municipalities in the water treatment industry. Tom
founded and operated Catalog Chemical, a water treatment consulting
company, for several years. Later on, he was an owner-operator of two
parcel delivery routes with RPS and FedEx. Tom enjoyed several clubs and
organizations including: Ambucs, Optimus Club, and Lions Club, and
always enjoyed meeting friends for coffee in Dodge City to have spirited
discussions about current events.
Tom’s family would like to
express deep gratitude to the many healthcare professionals that cared
for him over the past several years. Special thanks to Dr. Jacqueline
Orender - primary care, Dr. Chang-Qing “Mickie” Xun - oncology, Dr.
Bashar Marji – cardiology, and the amazing volunteers and staff of the
Ascension Via Christi Cancer Center in Pittsburg, KS.
Burial
will take place on May 6, 2023, at the Oakley Cemetery in Oakley, Kansas.
Memorial service will take place immediately after at the Buffalo Bill
Event Center located at 3083 US Hwy 83, Oakley KS, 67748. Further
details will be released by family members as specific times become
available. In lieu of flowers, the family asks people to make a donation
to a local elementary school lunch program.