Tom was born March 14, 1926, in Oklahoma City, Okla. His birth parents are unknown, but he was adopted almost immediately by Vivian and Joseph Manson, who named him Thomas Gordon. Life was not easy in the early years for any member of this great generation of Americans, and that was certainly true for Tom. He was raised in the oil fields of West Texas until he was 11 years old, when his adoptive father, Joseph, was killed in a car accident. His mother, Vivian, moved Tom and his young sister, Coila Jo, to Russell, Kan., where he lived until he graduated from Russell High School in 1943.

Like most men from his generation, Tom immediately joined the Navy on graduation from high school, and served in the signal corps as a Seaman First Class. He was stationed in the Pacific until the end of World War II and participated in the island to island combat common to that theater of battle until the war ended in 1945, when he received an honorable discharge. Tom was awarded the USS Libra Navy unit commendation for exceptional meritorious service in action against Japanese aircraft, shore batteries, submarines and mines. His years in the Navy were formative for him. Using the GI bill, and some leeway granted by Dean Benjamin A. Gessner of Baker University, Tom was admitted to college, where he studied business and history. One of his most prized papers was his first semester honor roll report card signed, "Congratulations, Dean Gessner." He also met the love of his life, Frances May Baker, during those years at Baker University. Several years later, Tom and Fran established a scholarship at the school honoring Dean Gessner. Tom graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1950.

Tom and Fran were married Aug. 8, 1948, and were able to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with family and friends, as well as their 61st this past August. Four children were born of this union, Jenny Lynn Weatherford, T. Bradley Manson (Teresa Meagher), Marcus B. Manson (Jane Parsons), and Theodore Rhoads Manson. Ted predeceased his father in 1992. Theirs was a very special marriage, and they were always life partners in their mutual and independent endeavors.

Tom was a well known roofing contractor in Kansas City, having owned and operated Western Roofing Company for many decades. Becoming a roofing contractor was not his initial career choice, but after working at Earl Hankins Roofing in the 1950s, Tom saw a promising future in that business and purchased Western Roofing in 1960. He was an innovator in the roofing business, and began to travel to Europe in the late 1960s, which led to the development of a new generation of roofing materials in the United States. He served as President of the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association and the National Roofing Contractors Association, and received the McCawley Award and the Piper Award from those organizations. He was known as a trusted and fair contractor, whose word was his bond.

Soon after President Eisenhower formed People to People in Kansas City, Tom became the chapter President and began to be involved in international relations. Tom and Fran's involvement led them to become foster parents to two Chinese students at Baker University. Chin Shao Shu and Chin Shao Wei became members of the Manson family, and remain brothers to Tom and Fran's children. He was active in Boy Scouts with his sons, and hiked the Lincoln Trail in Springfield, Ill., twice with them. He was also a mentor for parolees and coached little league football.

Tom's civic involvements were many, and remained strong throughout his life. He was instrumental in the renovation of the Folly Theater in downtown Kansas City, and served on the board of directors many years. His support of the Folly led to his receipt of one of the initial Kansas City Arts Awards made to the business community. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Baker University, and was a generous contributor and supporter of the school. Tom was the longest serving trustee at Saint Paul's School of Theology in Kansas City, having served from 1976 until 2005, and gave considerable time and energy to the development of that Methodist seminary. During his lifetime he was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Old Mission United Methodist Church, Indian Heights United Methodist Church, Stilwell United Methodist Church, Valley View United Methodist Church and, at his death, Asbury United Methodist Church. He served on the board of directors of each church when he was a member, usually of the building and development committees. He knew how to serve and give to his community, and taught his children the significance of public involvement as a critical aspect of citizenship and personal growth.

Tom was an exceptional and complex man, of many interests and passions. He loved his grandchildren, Kimberly Pineda (Edd), Kathryn Lowe (Brandon), Austin Meagher-Manson, Alison Meagher-Manson and William Marcus Manson. His grandchildren are honorary pallbearers. He also deeply loved his great-grandchildren, Anna Lowe, Evelyn Lowe, Quinn Pineda, Carter Lowe and Eloisa Pineda. He will be missed by his entire family.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Stilwell United Methodist Church, 19335 Metcalf Ave., Stilwell, Kan. The family requests any memorials be sent to KC Hospice, 9221 Ward Pkwy, #100, Kansas City, MO 64114-9808.

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