Tom E. Walter

A cure was not to be,

So he put his arms around you,

And whispered, “come with me.”

With tearful eyes we watched you,

And saw you fade away.

Although we loved you dearly,

We could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating.

Your tender hands at rest.

God took you home to prove to us,

He only takes the best.

In the afternoon of June 1, 2018 Tom received a call from a few old friends and a son who needed a haircut that he couldn’t say no to. Therefore it is with sadness and joy that the family of Tom Walter announce his passing, at the age of 88. He passed peacefully at the Village House Hospice Care in Lee’s Summit, MO.

Thomas “Tom” Edward Walter was born July 11, 1929 in Tarkio, MO. He was one of ten children born to Retta & Henry Walter. He attended Northwest Missouri State University until being drafted into the Army in 1950. Tom and his wife of sixty-three years, Vanetta Mae Pritzel, were married on April 10, 1955 at Mt Hulda Lutheran Church in Cole Camp, MO.

After serving his apprenticeship as a barber, Tom and Gene Renfroe opened Tom and Gene’s Barber shop on Blue Ridge in South Kansas City in 1965 where he worked for 45 years.

In 1956 Tom & Mae welcomed their son Alan. Then in 1958 they welcomed their daughter Cindy. In 1968 tragedy struck the family as their son Alan died, at the age of 11, after a battle with lymphoma fought at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. Despite this he remained the head of a very strong and loving family. He always made his family a priority. In 1985 he was blessed with the birth of his first grandchild Erik, and in 1991 welcomed his second grandchild Macee. His grandchildren often recall not a single school or social event of thiers that their “Poppy” was not in attendance. From baseball games to talent shows and graduations he always made it a point to be there for his family.

Tom was very active in his church community at Peace Lutheran, from making sure to be there every Sunday to falling asleep in his pew to let the pastor know he was listening, as well as becoming a key member in the American Legion Post 598. Tom’s sense of humor is one that could not be matched. He always had a joke, even in these last years while he would be in and out of the hospital every few months he always kept the nurses laughing.

Tom is survived by his wife Mae, Daughter Cynthia Cooper of Kansas City, MO, Grandson Erik Edmonds of Overland Park, KS, Granddaughter Macee Edmonds of Kansas City, MO, Great Granddaughters Caroline Edmonds & Vivienne Edmonds of Overland Park, KS, Sister Ella O’Banion of Grand Junction, CO, and his sister Lydia Piveral of Arlington,TX.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents Retta & Henry Walter, son Alan Walter, Siblings John Walter, Mary Thompson, Albert Walter, Hershel Walter, Duane Walter, Wayne Walter, and Andrew Walter.

The services to celebrate the life of Tom are on Wednesday June 6, 2018 Visitation is from 9:30am to 11:00 am. Funeral to be held at 11:00 am, at Peace Lutheran Church in Kansas City, MO. With the burial Services to be held at Memorial Cemetery in Cole Camp, MO at 3:00pm.

Memorial funds will be donated to Peace Lutheran Church and Children’s Mercy Hospital.