Montezuma – Thomas "Tom" Warren Lewallen, 81, died December 11, 2024 at Bethel Home in Montezuma.  He was born on October 29, 1943 in Kansas City, Kansas the son of Charles and Verda (Post) Lewallen.

As a young child, Tom lived with his family in Kansas City.  His mother passed away when he was eight and shortly after, he went to live with his sister and brother-in-law, Ellen and Roy Groves and their four daughters, in Hutchinson.  Tom continued his education at Buhler schools.  As he entered high school, Tom would come to Ensign in the summers to work for Leo Greenwood on the farm.  He decided to stay with the Greenwood's his senior year and graduated from Ensign High School in 1961. After high school, he attended college for a year on a music scholarship at Dodge City Community College.

Tom married the love of his life, Elsbeth "Liz" Ullom on June 14, 1963 at the Methodist Church in Montezuma. Shortly after their marriage, the couple moved to Satanta where Tom worked for the natural gas company. They were blessed with three children, Jennifer, Jeff, and Stacy. In 1973, the family moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado and operated a sod business.  Tom took a job with Williams Ag Chemical Company in Blytheville, Arkansas and the family moved in 1975.  After 11 years in Arkansas, it was time to return to Montezuma.  Tom worked for Greenwoods and raised a variety of animals on the farm. Recently, Tom had become a resident of Bethel Home.  The family wishes to thank all of his caregivers for providing such loving care for him over the past few months.

"PePa", as he was affectionately known by many, loved to fish and hunt.  He had a sense of humor, often teasing his family and friends.  PePa's greatest treasures where his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  He enjoyed cheering them on in whatever sports, school or church activity they were participating in.

Tom was an active member of the Montezuma United Methodist Church where he could often be found doing maintenance, upgrades around the building, and singing in the choir.  He was also a member of the Ensign Masonic Post 413.

Tom is survived by his wife, Liz of Montezuma; three children, Jennifer Schmidt and husband Brian of Pratt, Jeff Lewallen and wife Tara of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Stacy Dirks and husband Bryce of Montezuma; nine grandchildren, Byron Schmidt and wife Stacey of Ingalls, Luke Schmidt and wife Ashley of Collinsville, Oklahoma, Katie Edwards and husband Keith of Harrah, Oklahoma, Zachary Lewallen and wife Maycee of Parker, Colorado, Stephanie Cogley and husband Ryan, Alexa Goodroad and husband Joe all of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Tanner Dirks and wife Hannah, Colton Dirks and wife Ashten, and Madison Miller and husband Jackson all of Montezuma; and 13 great grandchildren, Brody and Raelyn Schmidt, Aubrey and Lexie Schmidt, Ember Ewards, Wesley Tonjes, Lane Cogley, Haddie Goodroad, Kipton, Emma, and Baker Dirks, Jameson Dirks, and Wrenley Miller, and one arriving in May. He is preceded in death by his parents and nine siblings, Wilma Bennett, Ellen Groves, Ronald Lewallen, Harold Lewallen, Alta Groves, Howard Lewallen, Patsy Larken, Alice Foxworth, and Leonard Lewallen.

Funeral service will be held at Montezuma United Methodist Church on Monday, December 16, 2024 at 10:30 AM with Pastor Kyle Woodrow presiding.  Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma on Sunday, December 15, 2024 from noon to 6:00 PM. Cremation will follow the service and a private family burial will take place at a later time. Memorials are suggested to the Montezuma United Methodist Church or Bethel Home in care of the funeral home.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.