In Memory Of
Thomas Emmett Mcmahon
1926
2022
Thomas Emmett Mcmahon
July 22, 1926 — June 30, 2022
Thomas Emmett McMahon passed away Thursday, June 30, 2022.
Tom was born July 22, 1926 in the home of his parents, John and Clare (Pottorf) McMahon in Ness City, Kansas, He joined his sister Patricia and half-sister Madge Edwards.
The family moved to Lawrence, Kansas, where he graduated from Liberty Memorial High School (Lawrence High School). He enlisted in the Navy in July of 1944 and trained as an Electronic Technician and then served on the Notable AM267 in Japan, the Philippine Islands and China, Tom graduated from Kansas University in 1950 with a B.S. degree in civil engineering and in 1967 with a M.S. degree in environmental health engineering. A civil and environmental engineer, he worked for the engineering firm of Van Dorn, Hazard and Stallings, was Director of Water Pollution Control for the City of Topeka, then worked for Bucher, Willis, and Ratliff Engineers in Salina, designing water treatment plants, and waste water treatment plants in Kansas and Missouri. Numerous trips were made to Alaska after the Alaska earthquake in 1967, checking water and wastewater treatment facilities. Tom was president of the Kansas Water Pollution Control Association and received a Collection System Award. He served on the National Systems Board.
He was Scoutmaster of Troop 75 (First Christian Church). He, son Sam, and troop members went to Philmont Scout Camp in New Mexico. He, son Tim, and troop members took a canoeing trip to the Canadian Boundary Waters. Tom received the Award of Merit, and the Silver Beaver Scouting Award from Boy Scouts of America.
Tom was a member of Potwin Presbyterian Church, and later First Christian Church. He served as an elder, sang in the church choir, and played bells in the Bell Choir. He was a 15 gallon donor to the Blood Bank and enjoyed KU football and basketball; he was a life member of the Kansa University Alumni Association.
He married Phyllis Oliver on June 8, 1950 and was married for 72 years. Tom is survived by his wife, Phyllis; sons Gregory (Melinda), Timothy (Janis), Samuel, and Paul (Kimberly); six grandchildren, Megan, Trevor, Carolyn, Tabitha, Morgan and Taylor; and two great grandchildren, Stephanie and Olivia.
Honoring his request, cremation is planned. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 5th, 2022, at Brewster Place Chapel, 1205 SW 29th St, Topeka, KS 66611. Dove Cremations and Funerals, Southwest Chapel in Topeka is assisting the family. Memorial contributions may be made to may be made to First Christian Church, 1880 SW Gage Blvd #3380, Topeka, KS 66604; Doorstep, 1119 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, KS 66604; or The Topeka Rescue Mission, PO Box 8350, Topeka, KS 66608.
To leave a special message for Tom's family, please visit the guestbook below.
Tom was born July 22, 1926 in the home of his parents, John and Clare (Pottorf) McMahon in Ness City, Kansas, He joined his sister Patricia and half-sister Madge Edwards.
The family moved to Lawrence, Kansas, where he graduated from Liberty Memorial High School (Lawrence High School). He enlisted in the Navy in July of 1944 and trained as an Electronic Technician and then served on the Notable AM267 in Japan, the Philippine Islands and China, Tom graduated from Kansas University in 1950 with a B.S. degree in civil engineering and in 1967 with a M.S. degree in environmental health engineering. A civil and environmental engineer, he worked for the engineering firm of Van Dorn, Hazard and Stallings, was Director of Water Pollution Control for the City of Topeka, then worked for Bucher, Willis, and Ratliff Engineers in Salina, designing water treatment plants, and waste water treatment plants in Kansas and Missouri. Numerous trips were made to Alaska after the Alaska earthquake in 1967, checking water and wastewater treatment facilities. Tom was president of the Kansas Water Pollution Control Association and received a Collection System Award. He served on the National Systems Board.
He was Scoutmaster of Troop 75 (First Christian Church). He, son Sam, and troop members went to Philmont Scout Camp in New Mexico. He, son Tim, and troop members took a canoeing trip to the Canadian Boundary Waters. Tom received the Award of Merit, and the Silver Beaver Scouting Award from Boy Scouts of America.
Tom was a member of Potwin Presbyterian Church, and later First Christian Church. He served as an elder, sang in the church choir, and played bells in the Bell Choir. He was a 15 gallon donor to the Blood Bank and enjoyed KU football and basketball; he was a life member of the Kansa University Alumni Association.
He married Phyllis Oliver on June 8, 1950 and was married for 72 years. Tom is survived by his wife, Phyllis; sons Gregory (Melinda), Timothy (Janis), Samuel, and Paul (Kimberly); six grandchildren, Megan, Trevor, Carolyn, Tabitha, Morgan and Taylor; and two great grandchildren, Stephanie and Olivia.
Honoring his request, cremation is planned. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 5th, 2022, at Brewster Place Chapel, 1205 SW 29th St, Topeka, KS 66611. Dove Cremations and Funerals, Southwest Chapel in Topeka is assisting the family. Memorial contributions may be made to may be made to First Christian Church, 1880 SW Gage Blvd #3380, Topeka, KS 66604; Doorstep, 1119 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, KS 66604; or The Topeka Rescue Mission, PO Box 8350, Topeka, KS 66608.
To leave a special message for Tom's family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas Emmett Mcmahon, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors