Thomas “Tom” Prange, 63, of Las Vegas, NV, died on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024.
Cremation was provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center. Visitation will be held from 9 to 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at Butler Funeral Home in Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St. A ceremony will follow at 10:30 a.m., with the Rev. Meredith Brown officiating. Additional memorial services will be held in Kansas City on Saturday, Dec. 14.
Mr. Prange was born on March 18, 1961, in Litchfield, the son of Delmar and Reba (Brown) Prange. He graduated from Litchfield High School in 1979 where he played tuba in the band. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Social Work from Augustana College. Mr. Prange married Karen Fischer on Oct. 15, 1988, at Springfield’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. They were married for 36 loving years and raised two children together.
Mr. Prange earned his paralegal certificate from Roosevelt University and worked at several large law firms in Chicago while his wife finished her education. They moved to Kansas City in 1997 where they started their family and Mr. Prange became a stay-at-home dad to Max and Sera. When the kids were grown Mr. Prange established his own transportation service. He and his wife built their forever home in Las Vegas in 2022 where he was affectionately known as “Uber Tom”.
He enjoyed outdoor activities including hiking, swimming, and biking. He was part of the Sunstoners Bowling Team and enjoyed playing card and board games with his friends and neighbors in his Las Vegas community. He was a music enthusiast regularly attending concerts and collecting music from various artists. He appreciated art and spent time as a docent at the Nelson Atkins Museum in Kansas City. Mr. Prange was a terrific storyteller with a great sense of humor. He always lit up the room with his bright smile and a unique and boisterous laugh to share.
The couple enjoyed traveling together and with their children, especially to foreign destinations including Cuba, Italy and England. Most of all, Mr. Prange loved being with his family traveling, playing games and exploring new experiences.
Mr. Prange was a proud supporter of Operation Breakthrough, which provides a safe, loving and educational environment for children in poverty and to empower their families.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Prange of Las Vegas, NV; mother, Reba Prange of Litchfield; daughter, Sera Prange of Kansas City, MO; son, Maxwell Prange of San Diego, CA; siblings, Randy (Debra) Prange of Raymond, Denny (Paulette) Prange of Litchfield, and Jim (Evelyn) Prange of Scottsburg, IN; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins; fur babies, Valentine, Snickers and Brownie; and granddog, Mona Lisa.
Mr. Prange was preceded in death by his father.
Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to: Operation Breakthrough in Kansas City, MO. Please visit www.butlerspringfield.com to offer your condolences.
