Thomas Wesley Van Dyke

Visitation will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 4, at Mt. Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road. A private interment will follow. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, at Country Club Christian Church, 6101 Ward Parkway. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas City, the University of Kansas Endowment Fund, or Kansas City Hospice.

Tom cherished his family above all, especially his grandchildren. Affectionately known as “Granddad,” he rarely missed an opportunity to cheer them on at dance recitals and sporting events. In his free time, he enjoyed golfing, traveling, and spending time with lifelong friends. He was a proud member of a close-knit group known as “The Brown Baggers,” a circle of classmates from Michigan Law School who began by sharing lunches between classes and remained dear friends for more than 60 years, traveling together to destinations around the world. Tom was an enthusiastic fan of KU basketball, the Chiefs, and the Royals, and took great pleasure in watching and attending games with family and friends. His faith was a guiding force in his life; he was a devoted member of Country Club Christian Church, where he generously gave his time through fundraising, ministry outreach, and philanthropy.

Tom was honored among the top four graduates of his class in high school, college, and law school. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Kansas in l960 and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Michigan in l963. Inducted into Phi Beta

Kappa, he also received the national Arthur Priest Award of Phi Delta Theta. A recipient of membership in Omicron Delta Kappa, he was honored as a member of the Order of the Coif and the American Law Institute.

Tom began his career as an attorney with the United States Security and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. Returning to Kansas City, he progressed from associate to partner with Linde, Thomson, Langworthy, Kohn, and Van Dyke PC. He became a partner with Bryan Cave LLP, now Bryan, Cave, Leighton, Paisner LLP in the Kansas City region from 1991 to 2016. He was then active as senior counsel to the same firm for several years.

In 1966, Tom became one of the first Big Brothers in Kansas City. He then served as president of the Big Brothers Big Sisters, Kansas City from 1978 - 1979 and from 2015-2018, he was chair of the capital campaign for the organization. He also held the position of president of the Kansas City, Missouri United States Junior Chamber, 1970-197l. In addition, Tom chaired the Human Relations Commission for Kansas City, Missouri from 1980 -1981 and served as a co-chair of Harmony in a World of Difference.

From 1998 - 2018, Tom was active as chair for the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast in Overland Park, Kansas and on the board of directors for the Johnson County Community College Foundation from 2008 -2018. He also served on the board of directors for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, the board of governors for the American Royal and the board of directors for the American Royal Arena Corporation.

Tom was preceded in death by his first wife, Sharon Kay Van Dyke; his parents, Betty (Barritt) and Harold T. Van Dyke; his in-laws, Georga and LeRoy Edgar; and his first grandchild, Kyle Thomas Winters. He is survived by his wife of 10 years, Kay Barnes; daughter Jennifer Winters of Branson, Missouri; son Jeff Van Dyke and wife Heather of Shawnee, Kansas; grandchildren Dylan, Whitney, and Jackson Van Dyke; Kaleb, Kristaney, Kaylor, Kianna, and Kayzen Winters; Kylee (Winters) Yates and her husband Brock Yates, along with great-grandchild Neilsen Yates of Bountiful, Utah; brother John P. Van Dyke and wife Georgia of Prairie Village, Kansas; brother-in-law Thomas L. Edgar, Jr. and wife Anne of Rotunda West, Florida; and niece Julie Edgar of Rotunda West, Florida.

The family would like to thank the Kansas City Hospice nursing staff, along with the dedicated RNS caregivers and staff who provided compassionate care over the past two years. Special thanks to all those who offered exceptional support during this time.