Thomas "Tom" Prange

He was born on March 18, 1961, in Litchfield, IL, the son of Delmar and Reba (Brown) Prange.

Tom graduated from Litchfield High School in 1979 where he played tuba in the band. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Social Work from Augustana College. Tom married Karen Fischer on October 15, 1988, at Springfield’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. They were married for 36 loving years and raised two children together.

Tom earned his paralegal certificate from Roosevelt University and worked at several large law firms in Chicago while Karen finished her education. They moved to Kansas City in 1997 where they started their family and Tom became a stay-at-home dad to Max and Sera. When the kids were grown Tom established his own transportation service. Tom and Karen built their forever home in Las Vegas in 2022 where Tom was affectionately known as “Uber Tom”.

Tom enjoyed outdoor activities including hiking, swimming, and biking. He was part of the Sunstoners Bowling Team and enjoyed playing card and board games with his friends and neighbors in his Las Vegas community. He was a music enthusiast regularly attending concerts and collecting music from various artists. He appreciated art and spent time as a docent at the Nelson Atkins Museum in Kansas City. Tom was a terrific storyteller with a great sense of humor. He always lit up the room with his bright smile and a unique and boisterous laugh to share.

Tom and Karen enjoyed traveling together and with their children, especially to foreign destinations including Cuba, Italy and England. Most of all, Tom loved being with his family traveling, playing games and exploring new experiences.

Tom was a proud supporter of Operation Breakthrough, which provides a safe, loving and educational environment for children in poverty and to empower their families.

He was preceded in death by his father. Tom is survived by his wife, Karen Prange of Las Vegas, NV; mother, Reba Prange of Litchfield, IL; daughter, Sera Prange of Kansas City, MO; son, Maxwell Prange of San Diego, CA; siblings, Randy (Debra) Prange of Raymond, IL, Denny (Paulette) Prange of Litchfield, IL, and Jim (Evelyn) Prange of Scottsburg, IN; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins; fur babies, Valentine, Snickers and Brownie; and grand dog, Mona Lisa.

Cremation was provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.

Memorial Gathering and Ceremony: Family will receive friends from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at Butler Funeral Home – Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield, IL. A Ceremony will follow at 10:30 a.m., with Rev. Meredith Brown officiating.

Additional memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. in Kansas City on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at Atonement Lutheran Church, 9948 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS 66212.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Operation Breakthrough in Kansas City, MO.