Tom E. Killen Sr.
March 24, 2017
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Service Details
Tom E. Killen Sr., 51, passed away Friday, March 24, 2017, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.
Tom was born July 12, 1965, to John and Betty (Johnson) Killen in Des Moines, Iowa. He was the rock of his family. Tom was willing to do anything to help his siblings and he loved his family and his grandchildren. He did not know a stranger. Racing was Tom’s passion and he was the best! He started racing in 1981 and continued for the next 35 years. He was known as “Terrific Tom Killen.”
He is survived by his wife, Robyn; children, Amy Killen, Betty Rivas-Killen, Rikki Barrett, Tom Killen Jr. and Cody Barrett; twelve grandchildren; siblings, Buck (Linda) Killen, Linda Reed, Bill (Cheryl) Killen, Eddie (Pam) Killen and Donnie Killen; and numerous extended family and friends.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, John and Betty Killen; brother, John Killen; brother-in-law, Buck Reed; sister-in-law, Terri Killen; nieces, Barbara Killen and Carol Kalar; and two infant nephews.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, March 27, 2017, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 28, 2017, also at Hamilton’s, and will conclude with burial at Carlisle Cemetery.
A special thank you to Dr. Larry Severidt for his dedicated care of Tom.
Memorial contributions may be directed to an organization of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
BRENT KILLEN
03/25/2017
Tommy Killen was bigger than life. His presence alone could make everyone in the room look his way. Most only know him for the way he could make a car dance across the track like a dancer in a fine ballet. There was so much more to Uncle Tommy than just that. He loved his family more than anything in the world. He was protector and provider for his family-the whole Killen family. One of the many things he taught me was whether you do wrong or right you always keep your head up. It was the Killen way. He taught me how to love and what loyalty is. He also taught me how to protect those I love. He was more than an uncle to me; he was my best friend and the voice of reason. He always showed me the other side of the fence when I was only seeing one side. He helped raise me and I don't care who that upsets. It's the truth. We made a lot of bad choices together but we learned together and kept our heads up together. Some only knew a little about Uncle Tommy and they were lucky. I knew everything about him and I was the luckiest. He was a great man. I just wish everyone could have known the side of him that I did. Throughout my life when I was sad or afraid, he would say to me "I'm you and you're me" and it would make everything better; that was our thing. I will miss everything about him. I love you Uncle Tommy; "I'm you and you're me."