Tom Crozier, 80, Osawatomie, KS, peacefully passed away at home Tuesday, September 17, 2024, from a rare heart disease.
Tom was born August 7, 1944, in Council Grove, KS to Clifford and Doris (Pearson) Crozier, the fourth of five children. At 2, the family moved to Osawatomie for his dad’s 40-year career with MOPAC Railroad. 1024 Chestnut Avenue is where the Croziers lived and called “home” to this day. Tom graduated from OHS in 1962. He also completed many courses over the following years through Fort Scott Community College, Correspondence schools, Dale Carnegie, United States Army, and numerous career programs. Tom proudly served in the United States Army Reserves from 1964 until full retirement as E-8 Master Sergeant with 32 years of service. Eight of those years he served as full-time administrator of the local unit. Other careers over the years include police officer; Osawatomie city clerk; owner of his own construction company; and Chief of Fire and Security Services at Osawatomie State Hospital.
On January 8, 1966, Tom married his sweetheart of seven years, Loretta Workman, of Paola. They raised two children, Angela, and Mike. In 1980 the family designed and built their dream home near Osawatomie City Lake, where they remained. Besides family and friends, Tom’s greatest love was fishing and projects. He could design, invent, make, build, or fix anything. He created tools, overhauled, and restored engines, vehicles, tractors, boats, sewing machines, and appliances. He converted a 2-wheel drive truck into a 4-wheel drive. He also constructed residential and commercial buildings. Tom remodeled a one-room cabin into a beautiful lakefront vacation home at Lake of the Ozarks where family and friends gathered for 20 years. Tom’s biggest joy was spending hours on the lake in his antique bass boat with a buddy, fishing for crappie and walleye. He dubbed himself “the crappie killer!” Catches were many, yet never required. On non-fishing days, Tom was devoted to driving his pontoon with family and friends for fun-filled hours on the lake. Tom was goal-driven his entire life, never once failing to achieve a dream. He owned and loved that 1965 Corvette, actualized his love of country with his military service, completed every project, and enjoyed life to the fullest.
Preceding him in death were his parents and sisters, Peggy Knapp, Jane Allcorn, and Shirley Thomas. Survivors include wife, Loretta of the home; children Angela (JC) Drolet, Naples, FL; and Mike (Laura) Crozier, Tonganoxie, KS; a brother Raymond (Sharon) Crozier, Mountain Home, AR; grandsons Brandon (Susan) Crozier, Derrick (Sarah) Rowan; bonus grandchildren Krystal (Phil) Brunin; Kasey (Macee) Wichman; Brady Ross and 7 great grandchildren. Additionally, many nieces, nephews, other family, and friends whom Tom loved and cherished.
On Saturday, September 28th, 2024, services will be at the Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home, 203 Main St. Visitation at 10 am; “Sharing Memories of Tom” at 11 am followed by Military Honors graveside at Osawatomie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, appreciated memorials to Lane Methodist Church or Osawatomie Elks Lodge #921. All may be sent in care of Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home.
