Thomas Carter Kirkwood
Share
Let the family know you care by sharing this tribute
THOMAS CARTER KIRKWOOD
Thomas Carter (Tom) Kirkwood of Lakeview Village, Lenexa, Kansas, died on December 1, 2020 at Lakeview. He was born June 6, 1926 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the son of Arthur Kirkwood and Frances Tucker. He is survived by his brother, B. J. Kirkwood, Nathrop, Colorado. A sister, Ann Marie, preceded him in death at an early age. The family moved to Denver and then to Kansas City when his father associated with Burns & McDonnell engineering firm. Tom attended the Kansas City, Missouri public schools, graduating from Southwest High School in the Class of 1943. He joined the Navy V-12 program, and graduated with an engineering degree from the University of Oklahoma and a commission in 1946. After discharge, he earned a master’s degree from Stanford University, then returned to Kansas City.
After marriage to Ruth Depew they lived in Grandview, raising three daughters – Jan Ruess (Columbia, Missouri), Leigh (Dan) Hamann (Kansas City) and Laurie McClintock (Gardner). In 1974 Tom and Marjorie (Mardie) Coulson were married, expanding the family to include Susan Wendorff (Denver), Tom Coulson (Dixon, Illinois), David Coulson (Elgin, Illinois) and Judy Coulson (Santa Fe.) Grandchildren include Troy, Scott and Stephanie, and David, Greg, Nathan, Tara and Andrea, and three great-grandchildren, Nick, Megan and Madelyn. Mardie and Tom moved to Lakeview Village in 2010, accompanied by their two black cats, Alex and Misty. Mardie passed away July 2014.
In 1947 Tom’s father established his own consulting engineering firm, A. C. Kirkwood & Associates, in Kansas City, and Tom joined him the following year. The firm progressed and expanded in services provided and the geographical areas of service, adding staff and partners. In 1992 the firm merged with Shafer, Kline & Warren, also joined by Tuttle Ayers Woodward. Tom contributed to the engineering profession and public works community with leadership in Kansas Consulting Engineers, Missouri Society of Professional Engineers, American Public Works Association and Society of American Military Engineers.
Tom and Mardie were active at Village Presbyterian Church as choir members and in other programs. Tom served as an elder and trustee, and earlier was active in Second Presbyterian Church and St. Matthew Presbyterian Church. Tom was a longstanding member of Kansas City Rotary Club 13 and served as a trustee of the Lakeview Village Foundation. He was an Eagle Scout, Scoutmaster, and runner in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Compassionate, social and highly intelligent, he contributed his time and energy to countless endeavors through the years (MainCor is one example) and his loving spirit to his many friendships and relationships, particularly as a husband and father.
A ceremony for immediate family will be held at the Village Presbyterian Church Memorial Gardens with a service in celebration of Tom’s life to be held at the Church at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, Kansas 66208 or to Lakeview Village Foundation, 9100 Park Street, Lenexa, Kansas 66215.
Visits: 3
Laurie,
I was so sorry to learn of your father’s passing. Please accept my sincere condolences during this difficult time.
Jan,
Love and prayers to you and the entire family. A rich and rewarding life with many memories. Praying those wonderful memories provide peace and joy in the future to replace the sorrow of your loss today.
Let me know if there is anything you need!
Jan,
Our sincere condolences on such a great loss. He was clearly a remarkable man and may your memories of him comfort you now and forever. You are in our prayers and we send our love to you and your family.
God bless.
Scott and the MUSAF Team
Laurie,
My sincerest condolences. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Praying God grants you peace, comfort, and strength in your time of sorrow. I love you sis.
Jan, Leigh, Laurie and families
may the light that guided your Dad be a comfort to each of you. I have such fond memories of growing up with y’all, sharing fun times at Grandparents’, enjoying the silly times of your Dad’s and ours teasing with Grandmother Fran.
love to all, Meredi
So sorry for your loss. I hope pleasant memories bring you comfort in the days ahead.
To the Family of Tom Kirkwood:
I had the privilege of serving the public works community through APWA with Tom. He was a great friend to that community and a wonderful friend to me. I so enjoyed frequently having lunch with him and discussing not only public works matters but also current events and life in general.
I attribute my initial involvement in APWA to an invitation from Tom, who was the Kansas City Metro Chapter President at the time, inviting me to chair the 1997 North American Snow Conference held here in Kansas City.
We are all a little better off because Tom Kirkwood passed our way in life.
My deepest sympathies to his family.
Leigh, I am so sorry to learn about the loss of your father. My condolences to you and your family. May God bless you and keep you in His loving arms.
To the Kirkwood Family – Back in the 70’s, 80’s I worked for A.C. Kirkwood & Associates. At the time, there were four of us front office girls, all young, single mothers. We became great friends (still to this day) and enjoyed working together. We always knew that Tom was very protective of all of us (whether at the time we wanted him to be or not!). A truly caring person – I have wonderful memories of working there and it brings a smile when I remember those days. My condolences to your families.