Thomas Richard Wilson

Thomas Richard Wilson, 79, of Wamego, died Friday, March 6, 2009. He was born on August 6, 1929 in Saline County, Kansas the son of Thomas R. and Neva J. (Redding) Gilpin. His father Thomas R. passed away when Thomas was an infant. Neva then married Horace E. McCullick and they raised the family together. Thomas graduated from Culver High School in 1947 and was soon drafted into the United States Army to serve in Korea. Before leaving for Korea he married Mary Lou (White) on June 30, 1951 in Camp Chaffee, Arkansas. He was honorably discharged in time to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. Thomas was a member of the Olathe Presbyterian Church, a member of the Olathe American Legion Post 2993 and a lifetime member of the VFW. He worked for the 7-Up Bottling Company for 31 ½ years and was a school bus driver in Olathe for the last 20 years. He is survived by: his wife Mary Lou of Wamego, KS; his daughters, Candy McKay of Topeka, KS, Elly Neff and husband Harold of Alma, KS and Marilyn Wilson of Alma, KS; his brothers Harold McCullick of Minneapolis, KS and Ken McCullick of Delphos, KS; his grandchildren, Thomas R. Neff and wife Julie of Wamego, Patricia Baker and husband Aaron of Wamego, KS, August Neff of Alma, KS, Mary Barrett and husband Floyd of White City, KS and James Neff who is serving with the United States Navy; and his 9 great grandchildren; Thomas was preceded in death by his brothers, Gerald and Jim and his sister Ellen. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday March 11th 2009 at Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego with burial following in Wamego City Cemetery. Thomas will lie in state Tuesday starting at 1:00 p.m., and visitation will be held that evening from 6-8:30 p.m. Memorials have been designated in his name for the Kansas Dialysis Center and the VFW and contributions may be left in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 48, Wamego 66547.