Tom Countryman

Thomas Leigh Countryman was born January 15, 1948 in Wellington, to Cliff and Velma Countryman.  He died June 9, 2016 at the Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita at the age of 68.

He is a 1966 graduate of Caldwell High School, and his class will celebrate their 50th reunion this October.

Tom married Nancy Lea Stewart on May 31, 1968 at the Central Christian Church in Caldwell.  To this union, a daughter Amber Lee, was born.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in Humanities and Religion from Phillips University, Enid, Okla. in 1970, and served as youth minister in Burbank, Calif. in the early 1970’s.

Tom and Nancy lived in Enid, Okla. when they first married, until moving to California in the 1970’s and eventually moved back to Kansas.

In 1984, they fell in love with and moved to Drury.

Over the years, he was employed at various auto parts stores, including Jarvis Auto Supply, Kloefkorn Chevrolet, Quality Chevrolet, Scholfield, and most recently, was store manager of Bumper to Bumper in Arkansas City.

Tom was an avid reader, instilling the love of reading in his daughter.  As a child, Amber nicknamed him Daddypap, and the name stuck through present time.

He was constantly taking pictures, having a love for photography, and for several years, had his own business, Tom Countryman Photography.  This became his favorite hobby, which he also passed this love down to his daughter.

He was a die hard Dead Head fan of the Grateful Dead, and had quite a collection of albums and memorabilia.  He also enjoyed steam engines and loved riding on them when he had the chance.

He was preceded in death by his parents, several aunts and uncles, and a special aunt, Bonita Mahannah.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy, of Drury; daughter, Amber Schmitz, and husband Jerry, of  Wellington; grandson, Noah Schmitz of Wellington; brother, Gordon (Corky) Countryman of  Akron, Colorado; sister, Beth Falkenberg, and husband Paul, of Caldwell; brother, Stuart Countryman, and wife Erin, of Wichita; sister–in-law, Joyce Marcrum, and husband Marc, of Caldwell; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of friends.

A memorial graveside service will be held 10 a.m. Monday, June 13, 2016 at the Goodel Cemetery in Drury.

Memorials may be given in memory of Tom to the Drury Park Association or the Goodel Cemetery and left in care of the Mortuary.

To share a memory or leave a condolence please visit www.schaeffermortuary.info

Arrangements by Schaeffer Mortuary, 6 N. Main, Caldwell, Kansas.