Thomas "Tom" William Bettis died on February 28, 2015. He was born on March 17, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois to William and Gertrude Bettis. On June 4, 1955, he married Valerie Jeanne deLanuex in West Lafayette, Indiana. Tom and Valerie were happily married for 48 years until Valerie's death in 2003. They shared a love and devotion to one another and their three daughters, Lisa, Karen, and Krista. Both Tom and Valerie were graduates of Purdue University where Tom was a two-time All-American football player. After graduation, Tom was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the first-round of the NFL draft. He had a successful 9-year NFL playing career for the Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Chicago Bears. After his playing career, Tom went on to coach in the NFL for 30 years, including for the 1969-70 Super Bowl IV Champions and the 1966-67 AFC Champions, Kansas City Chiefs. Tom was also inducted into both the Purdue University Athletic Hall of Fame and the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame. He retired from coaching with the Houston Oilers in 1995 and resided with his wife, Valerie, in Pearland, Texas. He has recently been living in Katy, Texas for the past 8 years. He is preceded in death by his wife and his parents. He is survived by his daughter, Krista Mayzer, of Katy, Texas, and her husband, Mike, and grandchildren, Ashley, Andrea, and Matt; his daughter, Karen Kannard, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and her husband, Kraig, and grandchildren, Brian, Eric and his wife, Robin, and Aaron; his daughter, Lisa Snyder, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and her husband Dan, and grandchildren, Kyle and his wife Megan, Kevin, and Scott; his brother, Harvey Bettis, and his wife, Ann, of Tucson, Arizona; and his sister, Kathy Bettis, and her husband, Tim Wagner, of Waunakee, Wisconsin. His funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2015, at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church in Katy, with Father Dat Hoang officiating. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make memorial gifts may do so in support of the Alzheimer's Association.

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Published by Chicago Tribune Media Group Publication on Mar. 2, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Bettis

30 Entries

Travis Brown

April 3, 2019

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Bettis in Katy where he lived. I was blown away talking about football and seeing his SB ring and his jerseys. RIP to this great Warrior. Go Bears!

Rosemarie Dalton

September 22, 2015

To Kathy, Harvey, Krista, Karen, & Lisa,
I have been searching for your brother/father for several years. It is with great sorrow to find that he passed this past February. So many years have passed since we were in touch with your fatherI send my thoughts and prayers to each of you at this great loss to the entire Bettis family.
Tom was one in a million, always a gentleman and admired role model and caring man. No doubt his passing leaves a huge void in your lives that will never be filled. Please accept my deepest heartfelt condolences to each of you.
May God heal your broken heartsYou were all so blessed to be able to call him your brother, father, and grandfather.
He was the pride of the entire Bettis family.
FYI: Cousin Bob passed away in 1983 at the young age of 53 of lung cancer.
Blessings, love, hugs, and prayers,
Rosemarie Bettis Dalton

Rosemarie Bettis Dalton

September 22, 2015

My family and I are so sorry to hear of Tommy's passing. For his family I send my deepest sympathy. I have been searching for him and his family for several years. Sadly we lost touch with him, his mother, sister and brother.

Tom was a wonderful man, & friend, the pride of the entire Bettis family.
May he rest in peace in the arms of our lord.

For his families information: His older cousin Bob passed away in 1983 of lung cancer at the young age of 53.
No doubt Tom, Bob, & Billy are tossing the ball around as they talk about the good old days when they were kids growing up in Chicago....

Bonnie Phillip

September 20, 2015

I had the pleasure of taking care of mr. Bettis for two years of his life he was a good man always full of story's never a dull moment with him . My respects and prayers for the family.

Ralph Nelson

May 26, 2015

I was greatly saddened to find Tom's obit in the Chicago Tribune a few weeks ago. Tom was a fine man, a great football player and a pleasure of a fraternity brother. I encountered both Paul Horning and Bart Starr and they both praised Tom as a teamate.
Ralph Nelson Purdue'56

Carol Fischer Smith

March 6, 2015

To Karen and family- I saw the memorial in the KC Star, and want to pass on my thoughts and prayers to you and your family. I always enjoyed your Dad. He was a gentle giant, and always so friendly to me back in our high school days. Wishing you well as you go through this difficult time.

Ray Buck

March 5, 2015

I knew Tom from his days with the Oilers. A nicer man I never met at any level in the sport of football.

Fred Klug

March 4, 2015

I remember Mr. Bettis well from his time with the Packers while I hung around with Fred Cone and Jim Ringo. I am saddened to hear of his passing. He was a great Packer.

March 4, 2015

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Bettis family at this most trying time. Barlow family Fork Union, Vs.

Rosemarie Mayzer

March 4, 2015

Dear Krista & Family, Although we had only a short time to spend with you, I was grateful that we could celebrate his life. I hope it comforts you to know that he was so loved respected, & that his life was well lived. You were as wonderful a daughter as he couldhave hoped for. Dad & I love you, & hope that your griefwill lessen with each passing day. Love to all of you, Mom & Dad.

Dave Schram

March 4, 2015

Tom, Harvey and myself used to play basketball and softball at Sumner Grammer School. Tom and I also played on the same softball team at Garfield Park. These were great days when we were teens. Tom and Harvey's dad also played basketball with us in Summer School playground. He was a great role model for all the kids in the area. Also, Tom was a great competitor with super skills and a fun person to have known in my teens. God bless Tom and his family and may he rest in peace.

Dave Schram

March 4, 2015

my prayers are with your beautiful family I will always remember going to your reenbay football games with my parents god bless you all he was a good man cousin joanie sarasot, fl

Martin Farrell

March 3, 2015

Tom's father Bill Bettis was good friends with my father, John Farrell. Bill was also my Godfather. When Tom was with the packers, they played a charity exhibition basketball game against the Harlem Globetrotters at Chicago Stadium. Tom gave my Dad and I tickets and afterward he took us into the locker room to meet all the packer players. I was about 8 years old and it is still one of my fondest childhood memories. I have always been a closet packer fan since. My deepest sympathy to the entire Bettis family.

March 3, 2015

So very sorry to hear of Tom's passing. He was very special to us in the last few months at Autumn Leaves. We will miss him very much. We will be praying for your family during this difficult time. Our sincere condolences - Stuart and Lisa Nelson (Sully's family)

Evan Mylo

March 3, 2015

Love and Peace for You and Yours, Uncle Tom. When at times of difficulty in life I find comfort at thoughts of your great discipline.

March 3, 2015

Love and Peace for you Uncle Tom.

Pam Hutchison

March 3, 2015

Sorry for the loss of your father he was blessed to have 3 girls to care for him. Cherish your fond memories! God Bless you all. Pam Hutchison.

Doug and Beverly Fuqua

March 3, 2015

Our sincere condolences to the Bettis family.

March 3, 2015

To my childhood neighbors-- I am sorry to hear of your loss. I have always been so proud to brag that I lived next to a Kansas City Chief coach.Still a fan after all these years living in California--- just because of Tom Bettis. I loved your parents and have precious memories of living next door to all of you. Sending love and hugs to all--
Kathy (Mathews) Curtis
Ps-- the picture sure made me smile

Traci Musser

March 2, 2015

Karen, Krista, Lisa and families - thinking of you and praying for you during this difficult time. May the Lord surround you with his comfort and peace. Sending all our love . . . The Musser Family

Susan Sullivan

March 2, 2015

May you rest in peace Tom. It was a pleasure knowing you and watching you interact with your grandsons. We know you are in a better place!

Andy Sloan

March 2, 2015

The sloan family quite large 13 kids,who lived and socialized with the bettis family in st Mel's parish are sad to hear of toms passing
He was an inspiration for many kids in the area..we have been in contact with your uncle Harvey over the years but unfortunately have not met you 3 daughters..your uncle Harvey can fill you in with stories from the west side of chicago.your dad was a good man

Robert Farnett

March 2, 2015

Krista and Mike, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!

Gina Maestas

March 2, 2015

To Lisa Snyder and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I've heard Lisa talk about her father and what a great man he was. I'm thinking of you all.
Gina Maestas

Gina Maestas

March 2, 2015

To Lisa Snyder and family,
I'm so very sad for your loss. I only know Lisa, but by her character, I'm sure her father was an outstanding man. I have enjoyed seeing some of his sports mementos and hearing about him over the years through Lisa. My thoughts are with the entire Bettis family at this time. Thinking of you all, Gina Maestas - Littleton, Colorado

March 2, 2015

tom and I were classmates at st. mel high in Chicago il deepest sympathy joe zajac port charlotte florida

March 2, 2015

Sorry to hear about Mr. Bettis. I am a 1984 graduate of Purdue University, and a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. One of the things we had to memorize during our pledge ship was the accomplishments of our brother athletes. Mr. Bettis' list was as long or longer than any of the brothers we had to memorize. His picture still hangs in the house almost 60 years after his playing days at Purdue.

March 2, 2015

Great memories of family times & following Tom's football career through the years. My thoughts & prayers are with you at this sad time.
Cousin Arlene Bettis Lowe

March 2, 2015

Deepest sympathy at the lost of your loved one.
Houston, Texas

Laura Olbeter

March 2, 2015

So sorry we will not be able to attend the service. Please know all of our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this sad time. What a wonderful man and father. He will be missed.

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