Tommy “Tom” Robert Mapes, 68, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on Dec. 19, 2017. Tom was born in Sheffield, Alabama on April 7, 1949, to parents Ted Roosevelt and Mildred (Colbert) Mapes. He attended high school at Deschler High School in Tuscumbia, Alabama. He loved music and participated in the school bands and a neighborhood band.
Tom attended the University of Alabama and was a big “Bama” fan (Roll Tide). He graduated with a bachelors in music education. During his college years he was a member of the Million Dollar Marching Band.
Tom served his country in the United States Air Force as a security police officer and was stationed at Forbes, Guam, and Whiteman Air Force bases. After the service, he attended the University of Alabama where he obtained a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in counseling and guidance. He moved back to Topeka in 1979. He had worked for Topeka State Hospital, Kansas Department of Social Rehabilitation Services, Family Service and Guidance Center, and Valeo Behavioral Health Care. He obtained a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Washburn University. Tom was a registered masters level psychologist with the state of Kansas. He served as the supervisor over Crisis Services at Valeo Mental Health Center. Tom also taught psychology, developmental psychology, and sociology at Allen County Community College and had taught psychology at Friends University.
Tom was a long-time member of the Koinonia Sunday school class at Topeka Bible Church. He was a member of Mensa. Tom was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Robert Glenn Mapes, Betty Jean Quinby, and Ted Colbert Mapes; niece, Lisa Mapes Hargrove; and brother-in-law, Jerry Shirley.
He is survived by his wife, Tamara (Jones) Mapes, whom he married on Aug. 10, 1980. Other survivors include sons, Kevin (Debra) Mapes, Topeka, Kansas, and Carl (Donna) Albers, Commerce City, Colorado; and grandchildren, Alex and Allie Mapes; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Dorothy Jean Mapes, Paula (Charlie) Webb, Anita (Charlie) McKee, and Sheila Shirley; and nieces and nephews, Cherie Mapes Theis, Nancy Mapes O’Neal, and Richard Quinby; and many other cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A visitation service will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 27, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Chapel Oaks Cremation and Funeral Services, 235 SW Topeka Blvd. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Dec. 28, at 10:30 a.m. at Topeka Bible Church, 1101 Mulvane St. Gravesite services will be immediately following at Westlawn Cemetery west of Topeka. Memorial contributions may be made to the Topeka Rescue Mission.
