CARBONDALE, Kan. – Thomas Lee Garrett, 86, passed away Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, at his home near Carbondale, Kan. Tom was born Jan. 5, 1937, in Chicago, Ill., the son of Herman Walter and Lola Del (Cummins) Garrett.

After spending a few years in Indiana, the family moved to rural Gridley, Kan., when Tom was six years old, where he grew up and graduated from high school in May 1956.

He moved to Southern California, where he met and married Elaine K. Riley. Tom and Elaine later returned to Kansas in 1963, where they raised their three children, Mike, Lisa and Lynne. Tom and Elaine were married for almost 66 years.

The couple worked together in a number of business ventures, from manufacturing kitchen and bath countertops to selling and designing home products. Tom later went into the construction of custom homes and remodeling for the rest of his career until he retired.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Lola; and three brothers, Roy, Howard and Ray.

Tom is survived by his wife, Elaine; son, Mike Garrett (Cheryl); two daughters, Lisa Baldwin (Bruce) and Lynne Cox; four grandsons, Michael Baldwin (Jessica), Dustin Baldwin, Daniel Cox (Ashley) and Mason Cox; two granddaughters, Jorrie Varney (Brent) and Jenna Fawl (Jonathan); many great-grandchildren; and his sister, Mary Vannocker (Ted).

Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 15, at Stringtown Cemetery, just north of Wolf Creek Power Plant. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Thursday, at Feltner Funeral Chapel, Lyndon, Kan.

Memorial contributions can be made to Gideon’s International or Midland Hospice Care, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451. Condolences can be left at feltnerfuneralhome.com.