Thomas Aquinas Pirotte

Pirotte, Thomas Aquinas., passed away August 4, 2013 in Wichita, KS. “Tom” was born September 24, 1924 to Catherine Rathbun Pirotte and Henry Pirotte on a farm in Osborne County, KS. He was the second of six children. He graduated from Downs High School in 1942. Tom served in the United States Navy in World War II on the U.S.S. St. Paul in the Pacific War and the subsequent occupation of Tokyo Harbor. He was honorably discharged as a Lieutenant Junior Grade. His most interesting memory of the War was witnessing the Japanese surrender through binoculars. Tom remembered that the Japanese leaders on board the U.S.S. Missouri were in their “morning coats, winged collars, and stovepipe hats. The sentiment of the US navy wasnt bragging, they were just relieved [that the war was over].” He met his beloved bride, Doris Jean Cohn, prior to serving in the Navy and returned to Washburn University where they re-established the relationship. He graduated from Washburn with a degree in Mathematics. He and Doris were married on April 3, 1948 in Topeka, KS. Tom and Doris lived in Topeka; Houston, TX, and Wichita, KS during his sales career with International Harvester. He began the remainder of his career with State Farm Insurance Company in Wichita in 1956, and worked as an independent agent until his retirement in 1988. Tom was a superior manager of money, provider, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He always had a thoughtful solution to every problem and was a master at retaining information, applying concepts, and mathematics. He was admired by many as a cool head when facing a crisis. Tom is survived by Doris, his wife of 65 years. Other survivors include Thomas Peter Pirotte MD; Pamela Susan Pirotte BSN, MSN; William Spencer Pirotte CPA; Patrick Joseph Pirotte OD; Mary Pirotte Hemphill OD; fourteen grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren. Rosary will be 7 pm, Sunday, August 11, and funeral service will be 10 am, Monday, August 12, both at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. No memorial has been established. Toms family has asked that you bring a story about Tom and leave it with them at either the Rosary or Funeral Mass. Tributes may be sent to the family via www.dlwichita.com