Frank Thomas "Tom" Brockway

Frank Thomas Brockway, age 83 of Lenexa, KS passed away Sunday, March 3, 2024 at Garden Terrace of Overland Park. Funeral services will be 12PM, Saturday, March 9, 2024 at Wilson’s Funeral Home in Wellsville. Visitation will be 10:30-12PM, also Saturday. Interment will follow services in the Wellsville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wellsville High School Endowment Fund in care of Wilson’s, PO Box 486, Wellsville, KS 66092.

Frank Thomas Brockway, “Tom”, was born October 17, 1940 in Wellsville, Kansas the only child born to Wilbur Neal and Lois Irene (Hopkins) Brockway. He grew up in Wellsville and attended elementary school while running the family farm until moving with his family to Overland Park in his teenage years. He graduated from Shawnee Mission High School in 1958. After graduating, Tom joined the United States Air Force. He served as a dental technician while in the Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1963. On March 16, 1961, he married Gayle Jean Norton. Tom was a very loving man and spoiled his wife whenever possible with flowers, mainly roses. He loved to sing along to “Don’t Mess With My Toot Toot” to Gayle in the car. They were married 57 years before her passing in 2018.

In addition to being a dental technician in the Air Force, Tom also worked for the United States Postal Service, the Kansas School for the Deaf in the Maintenance Department and the Department of Social Services in the Children’s Division, where he eventually retired from. 

Tom loved watching shows like MASH, Smokey and the Bandit, the Dukes of Hazzard, and Magnum PI. He loved country music and had a contagious smile. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and woodworking. Later in his life, Tom enjoyed playing games on computers and spending time with his family and grandchildren.

Tom is survived by his son, Steven Brockway, wife, Mary and grandson, Scott; son, Charles Brockway, wife, Tonya and grandchildren, Brittany Downey and Jason Shaffer; daughter, Holly Reed, husband Johnny and grandchildren Johnathan Reed and Cynthia Bishop; "adopted" son, Ricky Dial; and many great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and wife. 

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