Thomas ‘Tom’ Kraus

Thomas “Tom” Wayne Kraus, 74, of Kingfisher, passed away April 14, 2025.

Tom was born on Sept. 30, 1950, to Francis J. and Mary May (Garms) Kraus at Kingfisher Memorial Hospital.

He grew up on the family farm southeast of Loyal, helping to operate a dairy farm, raising and showing pigs and helping plant and harvest the wheat crop.

He loved playing baseball in grade school and was a natural left-handed pitcher.

He moved to Kingfisher to stay with Grandma Sarah Garms and to help her care for Grandpa Herman Garms, who had suffered a stroke.

He graduated from Kingfi sher High School in 1968.

For his senior trip, he and his buddies tuned up his ’63 Chevy and drove to California, visiting the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas on the way. They returned with great memories and stories of their adventures.

Tom held various jobs working in the oilfield. In 1978, he partnered with his brothers Jim and Mike - and later including Larry - to form Triple K Oilfield Services, Inc.

When the oilfield slowed down, he went to work at Temtrol, Inc., until his retirement.

He was a proud member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribe.

Tom loved fast cars and was always ready for a drag race with his ’67 Chevy Nova. He especially had a love for horse racing and spent many weekends at the races in Raton, N.M. or at the tracks in Ada or Stroud before Remington Park was built in Oklahoma City.

He enjoyed learning and investing in the stock market. He also enjoyed learning and researching our family’s Indian heritage on our mother’s side and was proud of the strong German heritage from the Kraus history.

He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family and friends reminiscing about growing up on the farm and life in a small town.

Tom was preceded in death by both parents, his older brother Phil Kraus, younger brother Larry Kraus as well as his sisterin- law Julie Kraus.

Tom is survived by his brother Jim Kraus of Davis; brother Mike Kraus and wife Twila of Kingfisher; sister Mary Lou Scott and husband David of Mutual; sister-in-law Paige Kraus of Loyal; and sister Debbie Yell and husband Travis of Kingfisher as well as several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and cousins.

Visitation for Tom will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, April 21, at Sanders Funeral Home.

A memorial service for Tom will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 22, at Sanders Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow at Kingfisher Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Sanders Funeral Service.