VIEW OBITUARIES
Obituary-img

Thomas "Tom" J. Kirk

December 5, 2025


Resided in: Wichita, Kansas

To send a floral arrangement, please call our locations:
East Wichita: (316) 682-4553 | West Wichita: (316) 773-4553

Light a Candle

Add a Memory to the Timeline

Sign the Guestbook

Send Flowers

Memorial Tree Plantings

Thomas “Tom” J. Kirk, 61, a U.S. Air Force veteran and longtime Forklift Technician with Berry Material Handling, passed away Friday, December 5, 2025 in Wichita, Kansas.

Tom is preceded in death by his father, James L. Kirk, and his grandparents. He is survived by his mother, Janice Kirk; wife, Melanie A. Kirk; sons, Gage (Hattie) Foster and Austin Foster; daughter, Zoe Foster; grandchild, Harper Foster; brother, Steve (Wendy) Kirk; nieces, Sydney, Hayden, Avery; nephew, Logan; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Tom was a devoted husband and father, known for being dependable, able to fix almost anything, and an all-around good person. He was also a true shutterbug, especially passionate about outdoor photography.

Tom happily gave so much of his time to family and friends. He helped the boys make their Pinewood Derby race cars, served as the appointed “vacation driver” who made sure the family safely reached their summer destinations, and provided steady tech support for his mother-in-law. He was an amateur woodworker, an occasional wedding photographer, and someone who would always “show up” when you needed him.

Visitation will be from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Downing & Lahey West Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 South Market, Wichita, Kansas 67202.

 

 

Services

Visitation: Wednesday, December 10, 2025 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Downing & Lahey West Mortuary
10515 W. Maple
Wichita, KS 67209

Add to My Calendar America/Chicago 2025-12-10 17:00:00 2025-12-10 07:00:00 Thomas "Tom"J.KirkVisitation Visitation 10515 W. Maple,Wichita, KS 67209

Show Location on Map

View current weather.

Charities

The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Thomas "Tom" J. Kirk 's name.

Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice

313 S. Market

Wichita,

KS

67202

www.hynesmemorial.org

Memories Timeline

View the Timeline Add a Memory to the Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Dear Steve, family,
    Very sorry for your loss. Keeping all of you in my thoughts & prayers.
    Meghan (UPS)

    Reply

  2. So sad to hear this. I so enjoyed seeing his pictures when he’d post them. Memories from school days too. So sorry for this loss.

    Reply

  3. Steve and Janice so very sorry for your loss, so many memories growing with him and the neighborhood. He will truly be missed.

    Reply

  4. My job will not be the same without Tom around. Worked with him for many years. Thoughts and prayers for the family.

    Reply

  5. I first worked with Tom in 2024 at Berry Material Handling in Wichita. He always took the time to stop and talk with me almost daily, sharing his knowledge about the ins and outs of forklift parts. When we weren’t talking about forklifts, we would chat about photography and different landscapes. He will be deeply missed.

    Reply

  7. Tom always had time for a quick hello or an in depth conversation. He was truly a gentleman. We are so very sorry for your loss. Rest in peace.

    Reply

  8. Tom started at Berry 6 months after I did. We have worked side by side for 25 years. I was his parts guy and everytime he needed something he would call me. We had our ups and downs but threw it all we worked great as a team. We would always solve the problem in the end. I will truely miss Tom he was a good friend and an excellent mechanic. Rest in peace my friend I will see you on the other side.

    Reply

Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle