Paul Thomas Kitzke Jr. was born on March 1,1940 to Paul Thomas Kitzke Sr. and Lois Louise (Pickel) Kitzke at their home in Norton County. He went to be with his maker at his home in Prairie View, Kansas on March 22, 2024.

Tom was born in Union Township of Norton County west of Logan.  He moved to Edmond, Kansas to what he called the Brown place when he was 2 years old.  On March of 1946, at the age of 6 years old, he moved to what is now the Kitzke homestead. He always said he wasn't happy about the move because he had to leave the creek behind that his dog and him played in.

He spent the first five years of his school life at Hays District 52 country school, then he became an Almena Coyote. He graduated from Almena high school in 1958.  After graduation he went to Radio & TV School in Denver, Co.  While there, he worked in construction.  After returning home he worked in road construction for the State of Kansas for the summer of 1959.  He then began to dabble in building construction.  Two of his largest construction projects were the Almena Highschool and Logan Catholic Church, which are still standing today.

Next, Tom moved to Council Grove, where he worked construction, heating and plumbing, and for the City of Council Grove.  While working in Council Grove, KS he met and married his first wife Karen Wright in October 7th, 1961. On May 23, 1963 they brought home a son, Thomas Verl Kitzke. September 9th, 1968 he received the greatest phone call of his life. He was told that he needed to go and pick up his baby girl in Topeka, Ks. Tambra (Kitzke) Roberts was born August 22, 1968.

Next, Tom moved to Norton, KS in 1980. Tom became a full-time farmer and worked at multiple sale barns. He then began his 18 year career at Prairie/Logan Co-op and Rangeland Co-op, where he finally retired, or so he thought. In April of 1998 he married the love of his life, Judy. To this union was joined together with another daughter, Tabitha and son, Robert.  At age 63, with only being retired for two weeks, he was asked to work part-time (really like full-time) for Greving Farms. He finally gave that up at age 80 years young. Along with all of his jobs in his life, Tom also served our country with the National Guard and retired with 22 years of honorable service.

Throughout Toms life, you could always find him and his brothers doing horse stuff, or simply helping anyone out that needed it. In his younger days he enjoyed helping his children and nephew James with horse shows, rodeos, school events and 4-H shows. Tom had a great love for dogs which included coon hunting, working cattle, raising and breeding, and companionship. As the days grew cold and not being able to be out on the farm, he took up the hobby of knitting blankets for special loved ones. During any family get-together, you could find him leading a good game of pitch. As Tom's health declined, he found a new hobby of whittling.  Anyone that knew this man, knew that he could not sit still. Most of his whittling projects ended up being canoes, which were priceless works of art to the many people he gifted them to.

Tom and Judy were married for 27 years, but shared a strong love for one another for 30 years. During their years together they enjoyed traveling to horse sales, dancing, drive abouts, and visiting family and friends.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, his sister Glenda Kaye, 2 brothers Charles and Cecil, first wife Karen, son Thomas Verl, and many other family and friends.  He is survived by his wife Judy of Prairie View, daughter Tambra (Trever) Roberts of Nebraska City, NE, Tabitha (Tony) Lamp of Topeka, KS, Robert Denver, CO, 5 grandkids, 7 great grandkids, many nieces and nephews.

Cremation was chosen.  A memorial service will be held Wednesday, March 27 at 10:30 a.m. in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel with Pastor Ted Stapleton officiating. The service will be streamed live on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Phillips Co. 4-H or Hospice Services.