Thomas (Tom) Wellington Hanenkrat
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Thomas (Tom) Wellington Hanenkrat, age 90, of Lawrence, KS, died on August 8, 2017, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence, KS.
Thomas Wellington Hanenkrat, was born on September 2, 1926 in Appomattox, Virginia, to parents Charles Hanenkrat and Clara Cawthon Hanenkrat. He graduated from Appomattox High School in Appomattox, Virginia. In 1944 enlisted in the United States Army, where he became a veteran of World War II. Following his honorable discharge, he began working for Dupont in Virginia, Kansas and Ohio, where he later retired in 1985. After retiring Tom and his wife moved to Eudora, KS, and then later to Lawrence. He enjoyed and was known by his friends and family to work on small engines after retirement.
Tom was a great family man and a loving father. He married Dorothy Louise Dalton (Pal) in Lynchburg, Virginia, on March 26, 1948 and the couple had three children together.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his brother, James Hanenkrat (Fred); his sister, Elizabeth Hanenkrat-Woody; and two son-in-law’s, David Roush and Gene Williams.
Tom is survived by his three daughters, Judy Smith (Eric), of Lawrence, KS; Susan Davies (Barry), Kansas City, KS; Sandra Roush-Williams, Holton, KS, his companion, Sharon Newell of the home; and 11 grandchildren: Patrick Altenbernd (Erin), Lori Bichelmeyer, Dustin Smith (Nikki), Erin Nelson (Chris), Brian Roush, Michael Roush (Kristi), Molly Easley, Brett Smith (Jen), Cory Smith (Chanda), Zach Davies (Emily); Alison Olson; his 28 great grandchildren and one great-great grandson. Sharon has three sons, who Tom called his “special stepsons”: Park Lockwood (Kim Johnson); Bobbi Lockwood (Shannon); and Perry Lockwood. She also has eight grandchildren, who he treated as his own: Jackson Lockwood, Ethan Johnson, Zach Lockwood, Lexie Lockwood, Grant Lockwood, Emily Lockwood, Anneliese Lockwood and Ben Lockwood.
Tom enjoyed playing cards, attending dances, and spending time with friends and family. He was a member of the American Legion Post 400 and he attended the United Methodist Church, Lawrence, Kansas.
The family would like to thank and greet family and friends Friday, August 11, 2017, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. A funeral is scheduled for 2:00 pm, Saturday, August 12, 2017, at United Methodist Church, 946 Vermont, Lawrence. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Kansas Honor Flight, United Methodist Church of Lawrence, or VNA Hospice in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Online condolences may be posted at warrenmcelwain.com.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Sharon and family – Tom was a fun guy to know always a pleasure to see him – Jim & Serena Anderson
Love and prayers to Sharon, her family and Tom’s family. Tom will be missed, he was a very special person.
So very sorry to hear of Tom’s passing — prayers of comfort to all families ???? Remembering Tom’s kind smile and his love for everyone. Fred and Sharon Bohm
So sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. My prayers are with his family, and Sharon and her family. May the love of God get you through your loss. He was fun to be around, and will be missed.
Thoughts go out to family and friends. Tom was a wonderful man. All smiles all the time. What a personality and sense of humor. Great dancer too. His Virginia soaked voice will forever be heard in my head. I am so sad as I write this. RIP Tom.
Dad, you have taught us all how to live life to the fullest each day. To dance whenever we have the chance, to love unconditionally and to live honestly. One of your great sayings is “a man is only as good as his word”. I’ve always remembered that and hope your grandchildren and great grandchildren live by those words. I learned at a very young age that if something was broken and my daddy couldn’t fix it, then it was truly broken! We have all learned so much from you and I know you are watching over us and dancing your way around heaven. You are in my heart forever. I will miss you but will never forget the wonderful life you lived and the memories we’ve made. Judy
Sounds like he was a amazing man, husband, father and grandfather. Along with being a great friend to everyone he met. Sending mg condolences to all the family and friends. By the way, my name is Linda Hawks Kim Johnsons sister. I’m also sending thoughts and prayers out to the family and friends at this very sad moment in your life
Dear Sharon,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Our hearts go out to you ,your family and Tom’s family .
We are so sorry about your loss. He was a great man. We enjoyed knowing him .
I only met Tom once briefly this past June. But in that short time I could tell Tom was an amazing man and something of a character. My condolences on the loss of such a wonderful and beloved man.
Judy- so sorry to learn of Tom’s passing. Our deepest sympathies.
Bob and Vickie
So sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sharon, family members and dear friends – Tom will be dearly missed. God Bless ????????
So sad to hear this news. I only had the chance to meet and chat with Uncle Thomas a few times, but each were filled with laughter and stories that I will cherish forever. He will be dearly missed. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Ryan
We love you Sharon! Stay strong and know that two people over here in Sweden are thinking of you and all the family. Tom was an amazing man and we were so very lucky to get to know him, lucky to se his love for you and kindness to all…and he taught me how to dance “two step”. <3
Tom was a great friend and a wonderful boss at DuPont. It’s not very often you can put friend and boss in the same sentence, but you sure could when you worked for Tom. Tom has always been a part of “The DuPont Gang”, always attending our monthly luncheon at King Buffet and always caring about what was happening in our own lives. Tom had an infectious laugh, a smile that spread over his entire face, and a generous heart. There will be a big void now that Tom was taken from us way too quickly. He will be missed by all of us in the DuPont Family of Friends. Rest in peace, dear friend. We will see you again some day.
Our hearts go out to you in your time of loss. Tom was a Great Guy. Always enjoyed talking with him at our Family Reunions. He will be missed.
Even though I can’t be there, I am with you in spirit. My love and deepest sympathy to all of you. Love, Pat
Sharon. You were so lucky to meet such a fine man later in your life. You always beamed when speaking of him. I know you both loved each other so much. Life will certainly be different for you but I hope your fond memories of Tom help you get through the pain of losing him
We were so sad to hear of Thomas’ passing. We did not see him often but when we did we had lots of good fellowship and laughter. He Loved his Family and Friends. He will be missed by all.
Sharon,
I am so sorry for your loss. I know Tom was a great man! My condolences to you and the family. I love you!
Sandy and family: our heartfelt sympathy and love at the loss of your dad/grandpa.
We will miss Tom very much, you couldn’t ask for a better neighbor and friend. Sharon and all family our thoughts are with you.
Jack T: Tom was far and away the best boss I ever worked for!!
Our Thomas was the last of the Hanenkrat name. And, fittingly so that it be him. A unique personality that represented the Hanenkrat namesake to the fullest.
Although there are many of us that carry on the bloodline through other last names, the Hanenkrat siblings of that generation were and are a special lot. Fun loving, ethical, moral and full of life, they set a standard and lifestyle that many of us have emulated and cherished.
It has made all of his eastern family so proud to have him establish our heritage in the heartland.
We will miss him dearly but are so blessed to have been part of his life. We find comfort is knowing that Heaven will be a much livelier place now that he is there!
Our love and prayers to Sharon, the girls and all of his family there.
Without question, I am a better person for knowing Tom. I loved his stories about World War II. It helped me put my experiences as a Soldier into proper context. I will miss him greatly. Sharon, my thoughts are with you.
Tom was my first supervisor at DuPont many years ago. I enjoyed working for him very much and am sorry to hear of his passing. My sincere condolences to Tom’s family.
Garry and Fran Dunavin
What a great guy. Our thoughts and prayers to his family. Tom always made you feel good just being around him RIP my friend.
So sorry, Sharon. Barry and I loved both of you and will miss seeing the two of you happily dancing and mixing with all your friends. Our prayers are with you and the entire family. He will be missed.