Thomas Alan Hook

Thomas Alan Hook, 80, Louisburg, Kan., died Oct. 23, 2010, at Kansas City Hospice House, surrounded by his family.

Tom was born Aug. 25, 1930, in Pittsburg, Kan., the oldest son of the Rev. Alan and Nina Livingston Hook. He graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1949.

He was united in marriage to Imogene (Gene) Louise Keithly on April 16, 1950, in Nevada. He has lived in Louisburg since 1974.

Tom owned his own custodial-lawn maintenance company, Hook Maintenance Company, for 30 years in the greater Kansas City area and then worked at Leawood Baptist Church, Leawood, Kan., as the head custodian before retiring in 1985.

He was a member of the Louisburg First Baptist Church since 1974, serving as a deacon, church moderator, Sunday school teacher, pulpit search committee chairman and chairman of the building committee, until poor health forced him to resign. He spent his retirement years searching for and re-connecting with high school friends, gardening and mowing on his Cub low-boy mower at his rural home. His lifelong hobby was collecting and building railroad engines and cars. His grandchildren fondly called him "Choo-Choo" Papa.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two small baby infant sisters.

He is survived by his wife, Gene, of the home; one son, Jerry and wife, Jan, Independence, Mo.; three daughters, Joann Hook and Lori Cutshaw, Louisburg, and Donna Davis and husband, Jim, Olathe, Kan.; nine grandchildren and spouses; seven great grandchildren, with one on the way; two brothers, Vic Hook and wife, Marilyn, Wilson, Kan., and Wally Hook and wife, Joyce, Overland Park, Kan.; one sister, Coralyn Towner and husband, Jim, Olathe, Kan.; one special lifelong friend, Hiram Mastin, Salina, Kan.; many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 30, at First Baptist Church of Louisburg. Visitation will be from 10--11 a.m., Saturday, prior to service time. Burial will be in the Louisburg Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be given to the First Baptist Church of Louisburg building fund.

To leave a special message for the family online, please visit www.PenwellGabelLouisburg.com