Gary John Thome, 79, of Clearwater, passed away on Saturday, July 19, 2025.

The holy rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 24, and funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 25, both St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 11000 W. Southwest Blvd., Wichita.

Gary was born Jan. 4, 1946, the first of seven children to Roman and Helen Thome. In 1960, at the age of 15, he left for Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis for a year, and returned to graduate from Kapaun-Mt. Carmel Catholic High School in 1964. 

The following year, he would help his siblings survive a tornado that destroyed the family farmhouse. After a brief stint in computer science, Gary returned to work the family farm where he was “free from the desk.” He continued to farm while also working as a glass glazier in Local Union #558. His work can still be seen in the top of the Expo Center as well as stained glass installations at Kansas Newman College, and at St. Peter’s and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton catholic churches in Wichita. He was a 61-year-member of the Knights of Columbus Council #3114, joining the fourth degree in 2002, as well as a life-time member of Glaziers & Glassworkers Union #558.

He was a faithful man, amateur poet, life-long hunter, family historian and “former Yankee fan” with a rascally sense of humor, which in later years turned into a litany of grandpa jokes. He showed his great love for his family and friends through truck-side chats, hunting trips and abundant forgiveness.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Roman Thome and Helen (Winter) Thome; brother, Bill Thome; sister, Debbie Thome; granddaughter, Kyrie Dawn Thome; and grandson, Roman John Stegman. He is survived by his five children, Megan (Chad) Eickholt of Overland Park, Jordan (Lacie) Thome of Valley Center, Rachel (Brian) Cook of Washington, Amanda (Jared) Stegman of Dodge City, and Johanna Thome of Wichita; and grandchildren, Ainsley Thome, Kamdyn Thome, Kolbe Thome, Brinklee Thome, Emerson Eickholt, Logan Stegman and Tucker Stegman.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kyrie Foundation 501(c)(3) c/o Pediatric Hospital Outreach, 10317 Century Lane, Overland Park, KS 66215, or St. Peter’s Catholic School, 11000 W. Southwest Blvd, Wichita, KS 67215.