Thomas Cleland Hepburn

Thomas Cleland Hepburn, of Wichita, Kansas died Saturday, February 4, 2017, of leukemia complications. He was a Christ follower who led his family and others with a stalwart example. He went to be with His Lord while in the presence of his wife and sons at home. A leader in his local church body wherever he lived, Illinois, Arkansas, and Wichita Kansas. He was part of early efforts to expand AWANA, dedicated to promoting accountability through Navigators, and served for one year in Venezuela with his wife, Joan, to support missions there. Born in 1927 in Indianola, Illinois to Cleland and Lois Hepburn, Thomas was the third of seven children. He met Joan, the love of his life, in 1951. They were married in Cayuga, Indiana in 1952. Their marriage was 64 years strong at his death. Thomas and Joan have a living legacy through the family they raised. Thomas served in the U.S. Army as a part of the occupational forces in Japan. He returned to complete his education at Iowa State University. He retired from Material Service Corporation after 42 years of service as Vice President of Operations. Thomas is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Carl, Gale and Kenny and one grandchild. He is survived by his wife, Joan; siblings, Jack, Bill, and Carolyn Sue; sons, Thomas, Mark, and Joseph; ten grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Thomas will be buried in the Veterans Cemetery near Winfield, Kansas. A visitation with Thomas family will be Wednesday, February 8, 2017 from 5:00 7:00 P.M., at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. The funeral will be held at East Evangelical Free Church in Wichita, Kansas on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established at the Union Rescue Mission (2800 N. Hillside St., Wichita, KS 67219) for reaching the needy with the caring message of Christ.