Thomas Patrick Relph

Relph, Thomas Patrick, passed in peace early Thursday morning, April 3, 2014, at his home in Wichita surrounded by his children. He had a full life; finding his rewards and riches as a family patriarch and loving husband to Rose Irene. Tom was born and raised in Fredonia, KS. While Tom to most, he was affectionately known by his wife and siblings as Pat, due to his birth on St. Patrick's Day. At 18, he left to serve in the United States Navy. After his service, he returned to Fredonia and worked as a mechanic in his Dad's auto shop. Life took an unexpectedly twist one summer day in 1950, at a picnic at Fall River where he met Rose. They married just three months later and moved to Wichita where Tom began his 45 year career with The Boeing Company. Over the years he shared many tales of those early adventures, logging countless flight hours in the cockpits of B-52s, earning the nickname "Radar Relph." His strong work ethic and expertise brought professional success, but it was his role as family man which ultimately defined him. Strong when it was called for and supportive when it was most needed. As the family grew, he had the special gift of treating each new arrival with the same devotion and attention as the first. He taught his children to face life with a positive outlook and a good laugh, along with a few simple truths - work hard, trust in the Lord, do the right thing and "keep on, keepin' on." Tom is now with his beloved wife of 58 years, Rose Irene, who preceded him in death but remained with him in spirit. He will forever influence the lives of their eight children and families: daughter Beverly and husband Kenneth Hester, Sr. of Savannah, GA, grandson Kenneth and wife Brandi, and great-grandchildren Sierra and Aaron; grandson Christopher, wife Christina and great-grandchildren Steven, Nolan and Abbigail; granddaughter Teri Brandenberger and great-grandson Tristan, and a great-granddaughter Jordan (deceased). Daughter Pamela and husband Charles Poe (deceased), grandson, Scott Robertson and wife Alicia, and great-grandchildren Anna, Benjamin and Chase; grandson Trent Robertson, fiance' Amy Rhodes and great-granddaughter Reagan; granddaughter Bridget Shannon, husband Jeff, and great-granddaughters Haley and Taylor; granddaughter Sharon Norden, husband Russell and great-granddaughter Rylan. Daughter Susan of the home. Son Robert and wife Cris of Melbourne Beach, FL. Son Bruce and wife Betsy of Augusta, KS, granddaughter, Tracy and fiance' Brian Cleary; grandson Tom and wife Myranda, and great-grandchildren Luke and Laney; granddaughter Tiffany Mullen, husband John, and great-granddaughter Elizabeth. Daughter Donna Hicks and husband Joseph of Andover, KS, granddaughter Holly Walsh, husband Mike and great-grandchildren Leo and Lilly; and granddaughter Katy. Son Timothy and wife Tamara of Wichita, KS, and grandchildren Patrick, Mariah, Noelle, Jackson and Corrine. Daughter Regina Kaiser and husband Timothy of Satellite Beach, FL, and granddaughters Jessica and Maya. Tom was one of six Relph children, survived by his brother Jim and wife Margaret of Georgetown, TX, and sister Mary Clare Kooiman and husband Bob (deceased) of Eden Prairie, MN. His parents, Curt and Meribel, along with brothers, Donald, Dean and Bill preceded him in death. Tom was a Christian man who, by his actions, demonstrated how to believe in many ways. He found inspiration and a kinship in the wisdom and humor of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. A Rosary will be prayed in his memory Monday evening, April 7, at 6:00 p.m. with the Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated Tuesday, April 8, at 10:00 a.m., both at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Family friend, Reverend Daniel J. Spexarth, will preside over the service. Tom will be buried next to his wife at the Fitzmorris family plot in Fredonia, Kansas, at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. Thomas was a proud veteran who supported programs serving veterans with respect and dignity. It is with humble gratitude to the organization that has aided his loved ones that the family requests donations be made, in lieu of flowers, to Paralyzed Veterans of America at www.pva.org. Donations in his memory are also requested for the Daily Bread Food Pantry at Catholic Charities, 2825 South Hillside, Wichita, KS 67216, 316-262-8898. Arrangements entrusted to Downing & Lahey Mortuary East in Wichita, 682-4553. Share tributes online at: www.dlwichita.com