Thomas Anthony Audley
April 11, 1961 ~ March 6, 2026
Thomas Anthony Audley, 64, of Wichita, passed away Friday, March 6, 2026, at Credo Memory Care in Wichita, KS. He was born in Iola, KS to Joseph and Helen (Brough) Audley on April 11, 1961, the 11th of 12 children.
Tom enjoyed coaching, golf, teaching, friends and family. Although a quiet man, he never met a stranger. Tom spent countless hours pouring into students and mentoring other coaches. He will be remembered for his leadership, culture building and honesty.
Tom was a 1978 graduate of Iola High School, Iola, KS. A 1984 graduate of Southwestern College with his bachelor’s degree in Education then went on to earn his Master’s degree in Education from Pittsburg State University. From an early age, Tom was a multisport athlete earning athletic honors at every level, including the honor of Kodak All-American First Team in 1982 at Southwestern. In 1996, he was inducted into the Southwestern College Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 1984.
Tom began his 36-year teaching and coaching career at Goddard High School. He continued his career at Baxter Springs High School, then transferred to Andover High School. When Andover Central opened its doors, Tom became the inaugural coach for the Andover Central football team, building the program from the ground up. While he was known for coaching football, he also put great effort into coaching track and golf throughout his career. He mentored and led the Jaguars until his retirement from coaching in 2019. Tom’s influence lives on with the many people’s lives he touched throughout his extended coaching career, he always felt he gained as much as he gave. In December of 2025, Tom was inducted into the Kansas Football Coaches Hall of Fame.
Tom welcomed his daughter, Gillian, in the Spring of 2000, adding to his life and enjoyment with many special adventures together. Tom loved traveling with his daughter and golfing. In 2020, Tom retired to focus full-time on his golf game.
Tom leaves behind a beautiful legacy of his daughter, Gillian (Derek Leamer) Falcon. He is survived by his siblings: JoAnne Audley, John Audley, Mary (Craig) Bills, Pat Audley, Peggy (Mike) Bodeman, Theresa Smith, Catherine (Craig) Summers, Joe (Audrey) Audley, Kevin Audley, Loretta Audley, Larry Audley, many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends whose lives he touched. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Helen Audley.
Vigil will be at 7:00 pm, Thursday, March 12, 2026; Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am, Friday, March 13, 2026, both at Church of the Magdalen, Wichita. Graveside Service will be at 1:00 pm, Saturday, March 14, 2026, at St. Martin’s Catholic Cemetery, 1368 Xylan Rd., Piqua, KS.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Central & Western Kansas, 535 W. Douglas, Ste. 150, Wichita, KS 67213; or the Andover Central High School Athletic Department, 603 E. Central Ave., Andover, KS 67002.
Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.
Services
Vigil: Thursday, March 12, 2026 7:00 pm
Church of the Magdalen Catholic Church
12626 E. 21st N.
Wichita, KS 67206
Funeral Mass: Friday, March 13, 2026 10:00 am
Church of the Magdalen Catholic Church
12626 E. 21st N.
Wichita, KS 67206
Graveside Service: Saturday, March 14, 2026 1:00 pm
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Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Thomas Anthony Audley 's name.
Alzheimer's Association, Central & Western Kansas Chapter
535 W. Douglas Avenue, Suite 150
Wichita,
KS
67213
Andover Central High School Athletic Department
603 E. Central Ave.
Andover,
KS
67002
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Theresa and family, So sorry for your loss.
Sara Nelson Davis
Thank you. Good to hear from you.
I taught with Tom at Baxter Springs High School. We both taught Biology and he was a good friend. He loved his students and his kids in sports. We missed him when he moved on.
I am very sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. Coach Audley was more than just a football coach and teacher. He filled the role of mentor and was a father figure to more than just a few of us. I recall the impact of his father’s death and how much he cherished his family. My prayers are with you all as we celebrate his life and the impact he had on so many.
Warmest Regards,
Dusty Deringer
When we were little, Uncle Tom was always the best playmate! He spent countless hours letting us ride him around Grandma and Grandpa Audley’s house, throwing us into the air in the Iola swimming pool, and defying gravity in the city park swings. He inspired so many of us with his career in education. Rest in peace, Tom.
So many fond memories of Coach, He hauled us kids to Golf tournaments and oh the stories he would tell. An incredible man he will be missed. Prayers for the family.
Uncle Tom was always so warm and welcoming. Every time I saw him he’d give me a big hug and say, “how ya doin Ashley?” He always knew who I was and always made me feel part of the family.
Mr. Audrey you were so quiet, but such a bright light at Andover. I will miss your sweet smile and spirit.
Kristin Schultz
Tom will always be “Coach Audley” to me. He impacted so many players and coaches alike in football and in track. As his assistant football coach for 21 years, he was a tremendous mentor to me in so many ways. He established such a high level tradition of excellence in everything we did in the football program at Andover Central when our doors opened in 2001, and we continue to have success to this day with the young men in our program due to the traditions, standards, and foundation he established. It’s hard to measure his impact! I’ve encountered few people in this world with the same level of patience and care that he had about every person in our football program, weight room, and school. We spent a lot of time breaking down film, talking about how we can improve, chasing golf balls around the course, laughing at our mistakes, lamenting the end of seasons, and celebrating our successes. God’s peace to a great coach, man, mentor, and friend.
Condolences to the Audley family,
Derek Tuttle
Tom was such a sweet man. He was a coach and teach for both our kids at Central and we got to be a part of his life the last several years as well as my mom was placed with him in a memory care unit with Alzhemiers as well. Loved to see him smile when I would greet him and call him coach. Prayers for your family. I know it has been a long journey and he is safely home.
Tank as we called him around my house- Tom and I spent almost everyday together we could on the golf course until I moved to Dallas. Tank was a gentle giant who never met a stranger, he always had time for others. After I moved, I always looked forward to when Tom would come to Texas to play golf for a week with me. We shared so many stories from our college days and playing football together as well as just being able to enjoy each others company. Tom’s words of encouragement and guidance was special.
You will be missed big guy, but I know that we will meet up again and you will be waiting on that tee box waiting to swing it again.
Love ya big guy, go rest now.
Matt Welch
I’ll be honest: I ignored those lessons for a long time, but now they mean the world to me. Thank you for laying the foundation and giving us the tools to take on life. I truly appreciate the personal sacrifices you made for us. Every time I get together with old teammates, we laugh at your stories—mostly about the ‘old bull.’ I know we’ll all get to hear them from you again someday. Keeping your family in my prayers. Rest easy, Coach!
Luke Clements
So sorry for your loss. Cherish all the good memories you had with him.
I have fond memories of the man that taught my boys and my girls what it means to grow up. Being responsible and knowing what it meant to work hard and care for one another. Being able to say I messed up and I’m sorry. He was a good man and mentor for my children. Even my grandchildren were touched by him.
Theresa and Mary, so sorry for your loss of your brother Tom. Praying God will comfort you and your families during this difficult time. Marsha M Burtis
I met Tom when we hired him to teach Biology and coach football in Baxter Springs, KS. Tim was a great guy! At the time, he was a young teacher and became the heart throb of many young students. He was a good teacher, a good coach and a good friend. Later on my daughter had him as a teacher. As clerk of the board, I had many dealings with Tom. He was always a good friend, embarrassed easily and had a little shy side to him. But I will always remember him as a kind guy and we all missed him when he decided to leave and go to Andover. I will keep his daughter and the rest of his family in my thoughts and prayers. Fly high Tom, you were loved and respected by your colleagues and your students.