Thomas Dean Chamberlain

Thomas Dean Chamberlain, affectionately known as Tom, passed away on July 16, 2025, at the age of 72.

He was born on March 28, 1953, in Pierre, South Dakota, to Guy and Thelma Chamberlain. Tom spent his childhood in Benedict, Kansas, where he attended grade school and high school at Altoona Midway High School. After graduating, Tom and his parents moved to Newton.

On May 15, 1978, Tom married the love of his life, Brenda “Lee” Chamberlain, and together they shared a life filled with love, laughter, and adventure.

For nearly 30 years, Tom worked for Hesston Corp and later Agco, where he earned the prestigious Agco 20-Year Award. Tom was known for his hard work, dedication, and loyalty to his job. Outside of his professional life, he had a passion for cars and car shows. His mechanical skills earned him the nickname “grease monkey,” and he loved nothing more than working on cars in his spare time. Tom was also passionate about motorcycles, enjoying long rides through the Black Hills of South Dakota and Colorado with Brenda and their close friends, the Gillens. His motorcycle adventures, however, came to a sudden halt after a wreck on the interstate during his morning commute. Not long after, they discovered that Brenda was expecting, and their focus quickly shifted from motorcycles to the excitement and joy of becoming parents.

One of the most cherished memories Tom created was when he surprised Brenda with a bright red 1964 Falcon on Valentine’s Day. Brenda had spotted the car while in El Dorado with their son, Adam, and fell in love with it. What she didn’t know was that Tom had already seen it, made arrangements to buy it, and had hidden it under a tarp in their garage for four months until the big reveal. The car became affectionately known as “My Valentine,” forever commemorating both their love and the special day.

In his younger years, Tom was an avid bowler, and in his later years, he could often be found relaxing with a Western TV show or tinkering around the house, always finding a new project to work on. He had a heart of gold, was loved by all who knew him, and was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. 

Tom was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Brenda, and his parents, Guy and Thelma. He is survived by his brother, Don Chamberlain, his son, Adam Chamberlain, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and adopted family members who will forever remember his kindness, generosity, and zest for life. 

A celebration of Tom’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, July 25, 2025, at the New Life Assembly of God Church in Newton, Kansas, where family and friends will gather to share memories, honor his legacy, and celebrate the love he gave to all who were fortunate enough to know him.

 Rest in peace, Tom, forever loved and never forgotten.