Thomas J. “Tom” Titus, 65, of Parsons, passed away at 5:29 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas from a long illness, CIDP, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy.
He was born on July 9, 1960, in Parsons, to James and Peggy (Burkhart) Titus. Tom grew up at Parsons and attended Parsons schools.
Tom moved to Branson, where he owned and operated The Trout Machine, a trout fishing guide service on Lake Taneycomo. He moved back to Parsons, where he worked with his brothers, Frank and Mike Ryan, in their construction business. He also worked at WSKT Old Dominion, and Better Built by Barnes, from where he retired.
He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt, fish, and living life on the Neosho River from his cabin. He loved going on annual pheasant hunting trips to western Kansas with his dad and brothers. Tom was a man of many talents who loved and excelled with working with his hands and could fix and build anything. He even moved his cabin from the Neosho River to helped keep him strong and healthy.
Terry was an avid hunter and enjoyed hunting a variety of game, including pheasant, squirrel, and especially ducks, evidenced by the ringtone on his cell phone which was a quacking duck.
Among his favorite activities were spending time with his family which included taking the grandkids to the fair and attending all of their school and sporting events, and taking them fishing and hunting. Terry was a rock for his family, their tower of strength, and has left an incredible legacy for them to follow in his honor.
Terry was preceded in death by his parents: Dewey and Vera Kirk, and two brothers: Dale and Bill Kirk.
Survivors include his loving companion of 25 years, Joyce Martin, of Parsons; son: Steve Kirk, of Parsons; daughter: Tammy Manues, of Parsons; grandchildren: Kyle Kirk, of Parsons, Kayla Daniels (husband Josh), of Altamont, and Ashley Diedker, of Oswego; great grandchildren: Kylie, Kenzie, Liam, Avalynn, Paisleigh, Greyson, Declan, Miles, and Ethan; and a host of nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Derfelt Funeral Home of Oswego. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, March 7, from 1-2 p.m. After the visitation, a Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m., also to be held at the funeral home. Jim Bowles will officiate.
Following the service, friends are invited to join the family for the burial of cremated remains at Edgmand Cemetery, rural Columbus, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made payable to Calvary Baptist Church of Columbus, Kansas, and may be left in care of the funeral home.
his land south of Parsons, making the cabin part of his home. He was also very resourceful, making the most out of what he had with gardening, canning produce from his garden, raising hogs, and cooking. Most of all, Tom was a family man, who cherished his wife, children, and family.
Tom and Jeannie (Williams) Koger were married on December 27, 2014, in Miami, Oklahoma. She survives of the home.
In addition to his wife, Tom is survived by his sons, Josh Titus, and his wife, Natalie of Bristow, Oklahoma and Ryan Titus, and his wife, Caron of Branson; his stepdaughter and stepson, Amanda Russell, and her husband, Jordan of Oswego and Colton Koger, and his wife Stephanie of St. Paul;10 grandchildren; his sister, Jane Titus of Phoenix, Arizona; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Frank, Mike, and Pat Ryan.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, March 6, at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home. Following the services on Friday, there will be a celebration of life held at 5 p.m., at the Parsons Elks Club. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday.
Memorials are suggested to the Proud Animal Lovers Shelter, and these may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, 112 N. 26th St., P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357. Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.
