Thomas Dale Hebb

Thomas Dale Hebb, age 72, passed away on December 12, 2024 at Newman Memorial Hospital in Emporia, Kansas. He was born in Eureka, Kansas on July 24, 1952 to Cecil Edward and Ruth Margaret (Hawkins) Hebb. Tom grew up in Howard, Kansas and attended the Howard Public Schools, graduating with the last class of Howard High School in 1970. He played the trumpet in the high school band and enjoyed singing in the school chorus and small groups. Tom was a very talented athlete and participated in summer baseball and basketball and football at Howard High School. He took pride especially in the basketball game where he scored 46 points as a school record in one game. He loved his hometown and had fond memories of growing up in Howard. His childhood friends were lifetime friends, and class reunions were very special to him. Tom attended the Howard Presbyterian Church and was proud of his perfect attendance Sunday School record for a number of years. After high school, Tom attended Cowley County Community College in Arkansas City, Kansas where he played basketball and graduated in 1972. He then began a career at Iowa Beef Processing in Emporia, Kansas where he completed 36 years. He operated a Loin Wing Saw continually for 32 of those years which was quite a challenging feat according to his fellow workers. He played on the company softball and basketball teams. He also coached a women’s softball team to the Emporia City Championship. Growing up in a large family, he cherished his siblings and their children and grandchildren. He became an uncle at the age of 6, so his nieces and nephews had a lot in common with him due to the closer age gaps. Tom and Mary Gumfory married in 1980, and although they later divorced, her children were very special to Tom, and he was regarded as a special stepfather and remained so throughout their lives. Tom loved to bowl and was very good at it, carrying a 200 average. He enjoyed traveling throughout the country to participate in bowling tournaments. He loved all sports and was an avid baseball card collector as well as a Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs fan. Tom is survived by his siblings, Blenda Reddick of Wichita, Kansas, John (Andi) Hebb of Moline, Kansas, Karen (Rodney) Indermill of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Carl Hebb of Wichita, Kansas; stepchildren, Kevin Gumfory, Jody Gumfory, Travis Gumfory, Stephanie Large, and Jason Gumfory; numerous nieces and nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Ruth Hebb; his sister, Irene Floyd; his infant brother, Billie Joe Hebb; his brothers-in-law, Ray Floyd and Clifford Reddick; his sister-in-law, Donna Hebb; his nephew, Dirk Reddick; his great-niece, Allie Marshall; and his special friend, Juanita Moore. Services will be held at the Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas on December 19, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. followed by burial at Grace Lawn Cemetery in Howard. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service. Memorials are suggested to the Elk County Community Foundation - Howard Projects which may be left with or sent to the funeral home. Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, PO Box 1233, Howard, Kansas 67349 has been entrusted with arrangements.

Thomas Dale Hebb

July 24, 1952 - December 12, 2024