Thomas Mortimer "Mort" Gilkison

Thomas Gilkison Obituary

"MORT" GILKISON Thomas Mortimer "Mort" Gilkison died at his home on October 8, 2006. Funeral mass will be 10:30 A.M., Thursday, October 12th at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 8311 W. 93rd Street, Overland Park, KS 66212. Graveside services will be 2:30 P.M., Thursday in Wesley Chapel Cemetery, Centerville, KS. Visitation will be 6-8:00 P.M., Wednesday, October 11th at D.W. Newcomer's Sons Overland Park Chapel, 8201 Metcalf with the rosary prayed at 6:30 P.M. The family suggest memorial contributions to Kansas City Hospice, 9221 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64114. Mort was born December 29, 1914 in Highwood, IL. He was the younger of two sons born to Thaddeus Mortimer Gilkison and Mary Lucille Fitt. He attended grammar school in Highwood and high school in Evanston, IL. In 1936, he graduated from Illinois Institute of Technology with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering. He graduate from Illinois Institute of Technology in 1938 with a Master's of Science Degree. Mort was a member of Alpha Chi Sigma, professional chemical fraternity, and Phi Lambda Upsilon, honorary chemical fraternity. He was employed by Anderson Clayton & Company for work in vegetable oil refining research in Ft. Worth, TX. He married Elizabeth Mary Bartley in 1940 at St. Mary's Church in Ft. Worth, TX and moved to Abilene, TX. He designed and built a small vegetable oil refinery near Torreon, Mexico. He spent three years in Monterrey, Mexico as an assistant manager of a vegetable oil products plant and eight years in Sao Paulo, Brazil as the manager of a vegetable oil products plant. In 1962, he changed careers and worked as a senior engineer in the aerospace division of Hercules, Inc., which produced Minuteman, Polaris and Poseidon intercontinental missiles. Mort moved to Overland Park in 1968, and worked on the design and construction of a Nitroguanidine facility at Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant. He was a member of Holy Cross parish since 1968, where he was a member of the choir, Sunshine Club, in which he served as treasurer, and Holy Cross Bridge Club. He had many hobbies, including woodworking and over the years he made several items of furniture and numerous gifts for his family, church and his many friends. He was also an avid crossword, word game and bridge player. He had many varied interests, including trains. His father was a conductor on the North Shore Commuter Railroad. Mort actively followed world class ice-skating and became friends with many world class skaters and their families. He shared this interest with over 60 pen pals around the world. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Joseph Ivan. Mort is survived by his wife, Betty of the home; son, Thomas of Kansas City, daughter, Mary and her husband Richard Wilson of Centerville, KS. He is also survived by his niece, Marie Bartley Coppola of New jersey; nephew, Joseph Ivan Gilkison of Virginia and niece, Jeanne Marie Cooper of Canada. Mort made a positive difference in many people's lives and will be greatly missed. Arrangements by: D.W. Newcomer's Sons Overland Park Chapel, 8201 Metcalf. (913) 648-6224. Online Guest Book at www.dwnecomers.com

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Published by Kansas City Star on Oct. 10, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Gilkison

4 Entries

Karen R

January 4, 2007

I also was greatly saddened to hear of Tom's death. I was just one of the many figure skating fans he conversed with online and through mail over the years. His love for the sport was obvious. Unfortunately, we lost touch at some point and I was just recently wondering how he was. He brought great joy to the many people he corresponded with. I am very sorry for your loss and will keep you in my prayers.

Jill M. Pitman

January 2, 2007

To Betty Gilkison and Family,

My was I stunned when hearing this from my good friend, Rebecca B. I am very sorry for your loss. Tom was such a wonderful person, friend to me and my husband. I am deeply saddened to hear of his death. Our sympathies to you and your family. I remember meeting him online, chatting online, mailing pictures and stories of his and ur travels. What a terrific man he was!!! :)

Rebecca B

January 1, 2007

Tom, was a very good friend. I met him through one of my other good friends. We talked online and exchanged letters in the mail for a long time. I'm very sad by his loss. He will be greatly missed by a lot of friends. Tom sure did go through a lot during his life. I'm very proud of him for holding on for as long as he did. He was defintley an amazing man.

Jim Brooke

October 12, 2006

My condolences go out to all in Mort's family. I worked with Mort for several years at the next desk at Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant. I eventually took his place as chemical engineer for the Facilities Engineering Section. The joke on Mort's big feet at his retirement ceremony was that I could fill his position but never his shoes. Mort's gentle humor and apparent innocence were not because he was naive. Mort was rather, a deliberate and disciplined gentleman, who made everyone around him as comfortable as possible. Mort was a consummate professional, a steady hand in a dangerous business, and a mentor to all who came to learn. His affection for his wife and daughter were apparent as he often shared stories about family events and home life. His intelligence, sense of humor, and friendship are greatly missed.
PS: No one could take his place let alone fill his shoes.

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