Walter Kenneth Thomas known to most simply as KT – a man whose life spanned 96 remarkable years from April 16, 1930, to June 3, 2026.
KT was born in Sentinel, Oklahoma, to Louella Green Thomas and Lorenza Noble Thomas. He grew up during a time when hard work, faith and perseverance were not just values but necessities. Those qualities became the foundation of the man he would become.
KT answered the call to serve his country during the Korean War, completed two tours of duty as an Army infantryman. His courage and dedication earned him two Bronze Stars, a testament to his bravery and commitment to protecting the freedoms we enjoy today. While he rarely sought recognition for his service, those honors reflect the character and strength that define him throughout his life.
After his military service, KT devoted himself to the land as a farmer and rancher. He understood the rewards and challenges that come with working the soil and caring for livestock. Farming was not simply his occupation – it was a way of life. Through long days, changing seasons, and years of hard work, he built a legacy of determination, responsibility, and respect for the land.
Above all, KT cherished his family.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty Rains Thomas, his parents, one brother and two sisters. He leaves behind those who loved him dearly: his daughter, Michelle Thomas Singleton; his granddaughter Chrissy Witmer; a nephew, Billy Pierson, two nieces, Becky Taylor and Brenda Hearne, numerous great nieces and nephew and his adopted grandchildren, Hollie Allen Barrentine, Cotton Barrentine, Dustin Allen, and Zachary Allen, along with their mother, Phebe Allen. Each of them was blessed by his presence, his guidance and his unwavering love.
KT belonged to a generation that understood sacrifice. He served his country with honor, worked tirelessly to provide for those he loved and lived with integrity. As we say goodbye, we remember a soldier, a rancher, a farmer, a husband, a father, a grandfather and a friend. We remember a man who lived with courage, worked with purpose and loved deeply.
Though we morn his passing, we are grateful for the many years we shared with him and for the example he set. His legacy lives on in the family he loved, and the countless memories that will forever remain in our hearts. Rest in peace, KT. Your work here is done, your watch is ended, you are now home.
