In Memory

Thomas P. Lemon

Thomas P. Lemon

 

Thomas Perry Lemon, 67, passed away Mon., Sept. 12, 2011, after an extended illness. Tom was born on Jan.11, 1944 in Topeka to Charles W. and Frances Perry Lemon. The youngest of four boys, Tom grew up in the Oakland area and graduated from Topeka High School in 1962. Tom married Margaret Peggy Love on April 22, 1967 and they shared 40 years of marriage together before Peggy passed away in 2007. Toms career and lifelong passion was law enforcement. In 1965, he joined the Topeka Police Dept. as a patrol officer and rose through the ranks, retiring as a Detective Lieutenant in the juvenile division, after 29 years of service. Soon after, he began work as a Special Agent in the Criminal Litigation Division under Attorneys General, Bob Stephan and Carla Stovall. After retiring from the AGs office in 1997, Tom took a position as a bailiff for the Kansas Supreme Court where he was employed part-time until he became ill earlier this year. Through all his years in law enforcement, Tom was known for his strong work ethic, integrity, and dedication. Tom made lifelong friends and was affectionately known for his thriftiness and great sense of humor. He was a kind and compassionate man with a gentle heart, which shone through especially as he cared for Peggy during her long illness. When Toms children were in school, he was active in their education, serving as PTO president at Holy Name School and a Pace volunteer at Hayden High. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, the Knights of Columbus and Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church. Tom loved wildlife and the outdoors and was an avid gardener. Every year in late summer, he could be found in the kitchen canning his bountiful harvest of tomatoes which he then shared with his family. He loved everything sports and supported all Kansas teams but was partial to his beloved Jayhawks. Tom was Papa to his granddaughters, whom he was crazy about. He would have all seven of them over for sleepovers, sometimes regretting it by morning, but always willing to do it again. He loved attending their ball games, music programs, and school activities. He will be dearly missed by all his family and friends. Tom is survived by his children, Thomas G. Lemon (Karen) of Topeka, Mary Hanson (Lonnie) of Hoyt and Angela Smith (Richard) of Topeka; granddaughters, Ava and Maggie Lemon, Clare, Kate and Caroline Hanson, and Alaina and Olivia Smith; his brothers, Charles (Mary) of Duluth MN, Larry (Pat) of Topeka, and Bob( Jeannie) of Lawrence and his friend, Darla Reust.
 
Thomas P. Lemon
Published in Topeka Capital-Journal from September 13 to September 14, 2011