Thomas Micheal Grounds (1940-2018)
Thomas Micheal Grounds of Wichita was born July 27, 1940 in Ellsworth County near Holyrood Kan. He passed away Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at the age of 77.
A Celebration of Life will be from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, March 24, at Downing & Lahey West.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas J. and Katheryn Grounds. He started out helping on his father and mother’s farm until he graduated from high school. Tom attended Fort Hays for a short time until joining the Navy. After being honorably discharged, he worked on a dairy farm before finding his calling as a Wichita Lineman working initially for KG&E in the early ‘60’s. In the ‘70’s he worked for Thorton and Florence managing utility construction.
He eventually started C&T Line Construction along with his wife, Connie, as an overhead line and underground utility construction contractor. After 14+ years in business, he retired for a period of time after selling his business. In the ‘90’s and 2000’s he worked for PAR Electric and Quanta Energy as a safety adviser, and in evaluating large utility construction projects. He retired from PAR in 2007.
He traveled widely throughout Kansas helping to restore power to thousands as a result of dozens of storms. Tom was an avid hunter and Kansas wildlife aficionado.
He is survived by his wife, Connie; sons, Thomas L (Vicki) Grounds of Woodland Park, Colo., and Micheal S. (Kristi) Grounds of Jamestown, N.D.; daughter, Tamera L. (Kendal) Rush of Augusta, Kan.; sisters, Karen (Gene) Weaver of Wichita, Kan., Kathy (Bob) Fahr of Haddonfield, N.J.; grandchildren, Ryan (Joanne) Rush, Erica (Lindsey) Rush, Stephanie (Josh) Tempest, Jessica Rush, Thomas C. Grounds, Mathew Grounds, Austin Grounds, Timothy Grounds, Aaron Grounds, Abigayle Grounds, and four great-granddaughters.
In his memory and in the spirit of how he lived his life, we are reminded of the following quote by Winston Churchill: “I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter.”
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Tom’s memory to either the American Lung Association, or to the charity of their choice.
Condolences may be left at www.dlwichita.com
