Thomas (Tom) Raymond Garber, age 93, went home to heaven on Sunday, January 12, 2025. Completing his well-lived journey here on earth, he passed away peacefully and fittingly on a Sunday evening, the Lord’s day, surrounded by his loving children. As a man of deep and unwavering Christian faith, he looked forward to the day he would meet his Lord face to face.
Tom was born to Lester Garber Sr. and Thelma Bowman Garber, in Baxter Springs, Kansas on August 19, 1931. He was the fourth of seven children (four boys, followed by three girls). Tom grew up in a large and loving farm family that faithfully served God and others. He came to know and love the Lord as a young boy and followed and served God throughout his life.
Tom attended Bethany Nazarene College where he completed a bachelor’s degree in history. He earned a master’s degree at Kansas State Teacher’s College (later known as Pittsburg State University). Tom furthered his education earning many post-masters and doctoral hours from Kansas University, University of Northern Colorado, and Western State University in Gunnison, Colorado.
In 1953 Tom was drafted into the United States Army just as the Korean War was ending. He completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and Army postal college at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. He then deployed for two years of active duty at Camp McCauley near Linz, Austria where he operated the base post office and served in supply management from 1955-1956. Tom valued his time in the military and enjoyed traveling extensively throughout Europe, studying the German language, and visiting historic sites.
When he returned from Austria, he moved to Pueblo, Colorado to accept his first teaching position as a high school history teacher. Tom later expanded his grade level range to include teaching elementary students. He taught for 20+ years in many schools in Pueblo.
During his early days of teaching and participating in church, he had his eye on a lovely young lady, Janelle Phillips, who came from his same alma mater, Bethany Nazarene College, to teach in Pueblo. He courted her for a year before proposing on Valentine’s Day. Tom and Janelle were married on June 5, 1960 at First Church of the Nazarene in Pueblo, Colorado where they both shared many years together serving in the church and living in close community with friends.
After five years of marriage, Tom and Janelle welcomed their first child, Kevin followed shortly after by Karen, Kim, and a few years later by Kirk. As a family the Garbers enjoyed many years romping all over the mountains of Colorado, visiting ghost towns, and tent camping.
In 1978, Tom and Janelle moved to Carthage, Missouri to be closer to his extended family. While Janelle taught elementary school, Tom poured his life into substitute teaching in all the Carthage schools. His love for students kept him engaged with all grade levels until he was 80 years old. He was affectionately known to thousands of Carthage students as “Mr. Garber.” He was Carthage’s longest serving substitute teacher, a fan favorite of students, and the recipient of the school district’s “Do the Right Thing Award” upon his retirement. He drew energy from young people and truly loved being with them and influencing their lives for good. Both Tom and Janelle poured their hearts into their teaching, enhancing the lives of students and their families.
Tom, along with his wife Janelle, faithfully attended Carthage First Church of the Nazarene, where he served as a Sunday School teacher, board member, ministry leader, and in many other service roles. He was honored as the Father of the Year and the Grandfather of the Year by the church. Tom and Janelle and their family shared their lives of faith with many Carthage friends and cherished memories from their long years in Carthage. In 2013, they moved together to Baldwin City, Kansas to be near their children and grandchildren.
Tom was an amazing husband, father, and teacher, who taught his own children to love God and to love others. He was a Godly example to others around him and especially to his family. Always patient, kind, and humble, he was a consummate planner, leader, volunteer, and adventurer with Janelle and his children. He loved to sing in choirs and share Christ’s love through song. Over his lifetime, Tom wrote thousands of letters and notes of encouragement to lift those around him. As an avid reader, he enjoyed devouring newspapers and clipping articles and photos to send with congratulatory sentiments to folks across the Carthage community.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife Janelle Garber, by his parents, Lester Garber Sr. and Thelma Garber as well as by his three brothers, Rev. Les Garber Jr., Rev. B.J. Garber, Dr. Bill Garber and one sister, Jane (Garber) Streifert. Tom is survived by his four children, Kevin [Shawna] Garber of Baldwin City, KS; Karen [Cort] Garber-Miller of Olathe, KS; Kim [Doug] Garber-Shippee of Dallas, TX; and Kirk Garber of Olathe, KS; his eight grandchildren, Matthew and Michael [Kevin]; Taylor, Rafe, Michael and Gabrielle [Kim]; Kayla and Nathan [Kirk]; two great granddaughters, Kinsey [Taylor] and Isabelle [Gabrielle]; two sisters, Carolyn Sue Alsenz of Joplin, MO and Mary Lou Mumpton of Rome, NY as well as his cherished in-laws, nieces, and nephews.
The Garber family will hold a celebration of life service for Tom on Friday, January 31 with family visitation at 10:00 a.m. and the service at 11:00 a.m. at Carthage First Church of the Nazarene, 2000 Grand Avenue in Carthage, Missouri. Tom will be laid to rest in Park Cemetery in Carthage, Missouri. The entire Garber family look forward to welcoming family, friends, and former students of “Mr. Garber” to celebrate his life with us.
A few years ago, the Garber children, family and friends, built the Garber Hope Child Development Center to serve children and women living in Rwanda and in Democratic Republic of the Congo. The center continues to reach out to hundreds of children, providing education, a feeding program, Bible teaching, Christian training, skills training, and social engagement. The center was built to help others and honor the lives of Tom and Janelle Garber as teachers and Christian contributors to the lives of children and families. The Garber family requests that honorary or memorial gifts be made in lieu of flowers to the Educate for Opportunity Institute for the Garber Hope Child Development Center.
To donate online: edforop.org/give. To donate by check please make your check payable to: Educate for Opportunity Institute, mailing address 15050 W. 138th St., P.O. Box 4321, Olathe, KS 66063.
