Kenneth E. Thomas

Kenneth E. “Ken” Thomas, 81, of Quenemo, passed away Saturday, July 7, 2018, at Osage Nursing Center. Family will meet with friends from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at Dengel & Son Mortuary. Cremation will follow. Private family inurnment will be held later at Peoria Cemetery. Ken was born November 24, 1936 at Ottawa, Kansas, the son of Herbert Owen and Frances Neoma (Whirley) Thomas. He was raised in the Wellsville area. After his military service, Ken moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 1973, he moved to Olathe and upon retirement moved to Quenemo. He graduated from Wellsville High School with the class of 1954 and enlisted in the Army following graduation. Ken was stationed in Korea and obtained the rank of Specialist 3. Ken was united in marriage to Emey Frances Rogers in July 1958 in Baton Rouge. She preceded him in death on May 14, 1974. He married Sue (Lamb) Whirley. They later divorced. Survivors include his daughter, Tammy West and husband Jay of Fort Worth, Texas; stepson, Kurt Whirley and wife Tammi of Kansas City, Missouri; stepdaughter, Kim Whirley also of Kansas City, Missouri; three siblings, Sheri Oakley of Marathon, Florida, Robert Thomas and wife Cleo of Wichita, and Jimmie Thomas of Quenemo; granddaughter, Emily West of Fort Worth; and a great-grandchild on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Frances Thomas; son, Michael Thomas; brother, Dwight Detwiler; and sister, Thelma Shaw. Ken was employed as a production worker with Mobil Oil Company in Kansas City, Kansas for 20 years, retiring in 1996. He was a very active member of Oak Crest Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, where he served as a deacon. Ken was a current member of the First Baptist Church of Olathe. Ken loved the outdoors. He enjoyed gardening, yardwork and fishing. The family suggests memorial contributions to Great Lakes Caring Hospice c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Ken’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com