Tom Felts

(From Parker Mortuary)

Thomas C. “Tom” Felts, 89, Riverton, Kansas died Monday April 19, 2021 at home. Tom battled Heart Failure and Dementia for several years.

He was born January 2, 1932 in St. Louis, Missouri the son of Amos Ishmal and Katheryn Elizabeth (Gill) Felts. Tom had resided in Oklahoma, California, Alabama, Missouri and Kansas.

A proud military veteran Tom retired as a Master Sergeant from the United States Air Force. During his career he was stationed at Air Force Bases in California, Alabama and Germany. He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Retired Sergeants Association.

Tom was very mechanical and seldom encountered a needed repair he could not complete. This aptitude and enjoyment of automobiles led to his employment in several automotive related business activities. He owned and operated Iron Gates Skelly in Joplin for many years. He later retired from the automotive service department in Montgomery Wards at the North Park Mall.

He was a member of Park Plaza Christina Church, Joplin, Missouri.

His greatest relaxation was fishing. It was never too early, too late, too hot or too cold. It did not matter if it was big water, small water, in a boat or on the bank he truly believed a bad day fishing was better than a good day doing anything else.

He married Glenda Rausch March 23, 1985. She survives. Additional survivors include children Barbara (Bob) Morrow, Kerry Felts, Jimmy (Linda) Felts, John Felts, Rick (Kristy) Rausch, Cherri (Mark) Chancellor; siblings, Naomi Harding-Callahan, Alice (Bruce) Cram, June (Larry) Thomazin, Vic (Penny) Nance and JC (Deanna) Everitt; 17 Grandchildren; several Great Grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Sue Felts, numerous Nieces, Nephews and a host of good neighbors and friends. He was preceded in death by one son; Thomas (Tommy) Felts, Jr.; one sister, Mae (Felts) Sutton; and four brothers, Jack, Wayne and Arthur Felts and Raymond Nance.

The family will greet friends from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm Friday, April 23, 2021 at Parker Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri. Visitation will be immediately followed by a funeral ceremony officiated by B.A. Austin at 2:00 pm. Following the funeral service cremation is planned. Private inurnment will be held in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, Joplin, Missouri, at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Parker Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.