Tom Hornbaker Obituary

Tom Hornbaker, 76, of Lawrence, passed away on Friday, November 22, 2024 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his family.

He was born November 11, 1948, in Lawrence, the son of Allison and Arlabel Hornbaker. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1966 and earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Kansas in 1973 and 1975. Tom served in the National Guard and was honorably discharged in 1977.

Tom spent the majority of his career with The World Company, from which he retired in 2022 after 28 years of service. He served in a number of volunteer roles in a variety of philanthropic organizations, including Junior Achievement, the Lawrence Schools Foundation board, as treasurer at First Baptist Church, and as treasurer and board member of the Lawrence City Band. He was a talented musician, playing the clarinet and saxophone in the Overland Park City Band, Lawrence City Band, KU's University Band, New Horizons band, and in the Foundation Follies. He was a founding member of the JazzHawks, treasurer of the Crossroads band, and a board member of the Free State Brass Band. In addition to his many musical endeavors, Tom enjoyed traveling, woodworking, cheering on the KU Jayhawks, and "putzing around the yard."

Tom married Shelly Buxton on February 19, 1983, in Prairie Village, Kansas. They moved to Lawrence in 1994, where she still resides. Other survivors include sisters Ann Feinberg and Jean Winters, daughter Jaime Dupy (Matt Dupy), daughter Jennifer Hornbaker (Justin Krajci), son Alan Hornbaker, and grandchildren Hailey and Adam Dupy.

A memorial service will be held in celebration of Tom's life on Saturday, November 30 at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church West Campus, 867 Highway 40, in Lawrence.

Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Tom to the Lawrence City Band via the Douglas County Community Foundation, 900 Massachusetts Street, Suite 406, Lawrence, KS 66044; or First United Methodist Church, 946 Vermont Street, Lawrence, KS 66044. To leave a message for Tom's family, please visit www.Rumsey-Yost.com.