Thomas Edward Killen

Thomas Edward Killen, beloved father, grandfather, husband, and friend, passed away on June 20, 2024. Son of James Lee Killen, Sr. and Beulah Faye Parish, Tom was born on July 28, 1937 in Houston, Texas. Wherever he went, Tom was well-known for his personality, quick wit, and great sense of humor. Tom graduated from Stephen F. Austin Senior High in 1955 and from The University of Houston in 1959, where he received a degree in architecture. 

Tom was a true renaissance man. In addition to being a talented architect, Tom was the proprietor of TK’s Irish Pub and The Lonesome Armadillo, a published author, real estate broker, and patent holder. Tom was also blessed with the “gift of gab”, never meeting a stranger and always the life of any party. He lived an extraordinary life, which is reflected in many of the great stories he has shared over the years, from dating the same girl as Kenny Rogers to the night when a young George Strait asked to sing at The Lonesome Armadillo. However, he had no better story than the blind date that he had with Marianne, a beautiful girl from Sweden who was kind enough to give him a shot despite being an hour late for the date. 

Tom and Marianne were married in 1968, and remained in Houston with their two children until the family moved to Naples, Florida in 1986. Although Tom spent 38 great years in Naples where he was an avid boater, Past Commander of the Naples Sail and Power Squadron, and Past President of the Rotary Club, he longed to return to his Texas roots and moved back to Houston in 2023. Tom loved football (Go Cowboys! Go Cougs!), history, and all things Texas or Western, especially the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and John Wayne movies. 

Tom is survived by his loving wife, Marianne, and his children, Desirée and Christian, his daughter-in-law, Christine, his grand-daughter Annabella, his dog, Ginny, and his grand-doggies Kacie and Zeus. A celebration of Tom’s life will be held on July 28 at 4:30 pm at Maggiano’s Little Italy on Post Oak in Houston. His family would like to extend sincere thanks to the staff of Houston Hospice who provided compassionate care to both Tom and his family, and requests that any memorial gifts be directed to Houston Hospice in Tom’s honor.