Tom Farris - Winchester HS Class of 1958

Thomas Eugene “Tom” Farris, Sr, 76, of Kansas City, KS, formerly of Winchester and McLouth, died Friday, June 17, 2016 at Providence Medical Center. Tom was born May 16, 1940 in McLouth, the son of Eldon Eugene and Thelma Lucille Woodhead Farris. He was a 1958 graduate of Winchester High School and served in the U.S. Army Reserves. 
He served over 26 years as a bus driver for the Jefferson County North School District # 339 and McLouth School District #342 in Jefferson County, and a short time for Laidlaw Busing in the Lawrence Public School District as well as a salesman of advertising products for many years. 
He was married to Laura June Sawyers, and they had one child born to this union before they later divorced. 
He is survived by his companion and best friend of 32 years, Theresa Mercer, Kansas City, KS, one son, Thomas E. (Cheryl) Farris, Jr, Lansing, one daughter, Tammy (Wade) Farris Nelms, Canyon Lake, TX, five step-children, Debbie (Rick) Bensing, Kansas City, KS, Mike (Tina) Mercer, Emporia, Mark Mercer (Kathy Garst), Kansas City, KS, Matthew (Mandy) Mercer, Emporia, two brothers, Ron Farris, Winchester, Lonnie Farris, Webb City, MO, 16 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and a seventh great-grandchild due in September. 
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Theodore William “Bill” Farris, one step-daughter, Deanna Mercer-Warren and an infant sister, Bonnie Jean Farris. 
Memorial Service at 1:00 PM, Saturday, July 9, 2016 at Barnett Family Funeral Home, Oskaloosa. Inurnment will be at a later date at McLouth Cemetery. Memorials suggested to Wounded Warrior Project or to the organization of donor’s choice in care of Barnett Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 602, Oskaloosa, KS, 66066. Online condolences and full obituary at www.barnettfamilyfh.com