Tom was born in Kyoto, Japan on December 16, 1952, to Emerson Lee and Monica (Malone) Tadtman. His father was a career military man which meant that Tom lived in Japan and Italy during his early childhood. Tom’s mother and father met in Australia during the war and its where a sizeable portion of Tom’s family remains to this day. His family settled in Manhattan, Kansas in 1964 where he attended Seven Dolors School and graduated from Luckey High School in 1970. He graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1975 and a Master’s Degree in Journalism in 1980.
On October 15, 1977, Tom was united in marriage to Rebecca Bayer at the First Congregational Church in Manhattan, Kansas. Tom and Becky celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary in 2021. Tom and Becky have two sons, Brian and Kevin and three grandchildren, Stephen, Birdie and Teddy.
Tom was a born storyteller which served him well throughout his professional life which began with his work as a disc jockey, through his marketing and sales career with several Fortune 500 companies including, Southwestern Bell, United Telecommunications, Sprint, and Oracle.
Tom was a natural philanthropist. He served on the Boards of several charitable organizations including, Heartstrings Community Foundation, the American Fallen Warrior Memorial Foundation and The Kansas State University School of Journalism. Tom also gave freely of his time as a mentor, volunteer, guest speaker, event organizer, fund-raiser, master of ceremony and as an occasional magician. If there was a group that needed a hand, Tom had his stretched out to hold it.
Tom was an avid fan of all sports, but his love of K-State Football holds the place of honor. Whether it was encouraging the crowd to stand up on a “Big Third Down” or listening to the game on a transistor radio behind the altar right before his wedding, if the Wildcats were playing, Tom was supporting them.
Tom was the life of the party. His presence was known from the moment he walked into a room until the lights got turned off. Friends, family, and co-workers routinely requested joke suggestions from Tom. Somehow, he always had the right joke to provide.
Tom is survived by his wife Becky Tadtman, his sons Brian Tadtman and Kevin Tadtman, his daughters-in-law, Kat Buchanan and Sarah (Harris) Tadtman, his grandchildren, Stephen Thomas Tadtman, Birdie Tadtman and Teddy Tadtman. He is also survived by brothers Jim Tadtman and wife Marty, Jeff Tadtman and LaDonna Thompson, and Jonathan Tadtman and partner Michael Walker, his sister Marilyn Tadtman Taylor, his mother-in-law Margery Bayer and a bevy of nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents Emerson Lee Tadtman and Monica (Malone) Tadtman, his brother Stephen Justin Tadtman, his father-in-law Burke Bayer, his brother-in-law Bill Taylor and his great-nephew Jaret Tadtman.
Individuals wishing to pay their last respects are welcomed to attend services at The Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66213. A Rosary will be held on Monday, December 6, 2021, at 5:30 PM. The Visitation will be directly following at 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Catholic Mass and Funeral will take place on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at 10:00 with reception luncheon in the Church Hall immediately following the Funeral.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donating to an organization that Tom supported. Two memorial funds have been set up to receive donations. The Kansas State University Foundation, 1800 Kimball Ave., Ste 200, Manhattan, KS 66502; please indicate fund M47380 or make a gift online at www.ksufoundation.org/give/memorials or Heartstrings Community Foundation 11599 S. Ridgeview Road Olathe, KS 66061.
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