Tommy Clark Kneedler was born September 1, 1945, to Ralph and Mildred "Dutch" Kneedler in Goodland, Kansas. Tommy made the short go behind his two older sisters, Marlene (Hookom) Kneedler, and Jeanene (Mason) Kneedler.  Tommy grew up on the family farm in Kanorado, KS. It was on this farm that Tommy learned to be a cowboy and ranch hand for his father, learning to ride anything with two or more legs.

Tommy had a great skill in breaking and riding horses, leading to him being a member of Little Britches and PRCA rodeo associations. It was here that he received the nickname "Tuck" from the initials TK on his chaps and the way he would tuck his glove under his bull rope. These memberships took him out on the rodeo circuit, riding all rough stock (broncs, bareback, bulls) as well as bulldogging. He was known in the rodeo for his wiry figure and a "witty" sense of humor. These qualities led to more than a few scuffles and fisticuffs as Tommy was thrown out of many libation establishments.

Tommy welcomed Jimmy Joe Kneedler, his first born in October of 1967. Little did Tommy know that on this day, he would start his role as a Hero. Cathy Joann Kneedler joined Tommy and Jimmy in March of 1969.

In January of 1973, Tommy asked out Catherine Marie McArthur to win a bet with a mutual friend. Not to back out on chance to win 20 bucks, Tommy 's smooth tongue and sense of humor harvested this bet winning date. A few days after the first date, came another date, a matinee showing John Wayne's "The Cowboys" at the Midway Theatre in Burlington. On this date they were chaperoned by Jimmy, Cathy, and Cathie's daughter Wendi Raelyn.  Not only did Tommy win the bet, but he won the girl, getting married on February 18 ^th , just two weeks later. To this marriage was born the "Golden Child" Corby David Kneedler, in January of 1975.

Tommy held many jobs in agriculture: ranch hand, feedlot cowboy, truck driver, feed mill operator, even owning his own business installing and maintaining center pivot irrigation units. This business led him to Akron, CO where he managed the Schutte Pinneo Ranch for almost 20 years. Throughout all this, Tommy's role of Hero grew larger welcoming his granddaughter Samantha Nicole Kneedler (October 1990) and Dylan James Kneedler (February 1992).

After retiring from farming and ranching in 2002, Tom moved Cathie from the ranch into the community they loved and would call their forever home, Akron. They invested into their community through 4H, Akron School events, and any event that involved youth and agriculture, all while running their feed store.

In 2007 Tommy gained another grandchild, Daisha Lea Riofrio. Tommy perfected his Hero trade in July 2013 with the birth of his last grandson Tuck Lee Kneedler. Tuck became Tom's pride, joy, and best pal, quickly and just fully winning the "Golden Child" title from Corby.  Tommy attended every one of Tuck's ball games, school programs, swimming lessons, birthday parties, and was there at the drop of a hat whenever Tuck wanted to be with Poppy. Tommy used the education as an excuse to sneak Tuck out of school to attend the horse races (odds and ratios) taught Tuck how to play craps (math), not to mention the "English" and "social science" lessons that were advanced for a grade school kid.

In May of 2019, Tom's 46-year marriage came to an abrupt halt, with the death of his best friend and love of his life, Cathie. After Cathie's death, Tommy established Tommy's Bar, open Fridays at 4pm to close. This was a valiant attempt to make money off a bring your own beer and bring me one too business model where the customers started a "tip" jar for the lighting bill. It was here that he would make many lifelong true friends. Tommy spent the rest of his week watching 100 Days of Rodeo on the Cowboy Channel, spending time with Tuck, and preparing for the next Friday night.

Tom instilled many life lessons to those close to him:

• "It's not the size of the man in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the man."
• "She will get happy in the same pants she got mad in."
• "Hold on tight and stay on."
• "You make a better door than you do a window."
• "I'll hit you so hard your shirt tail will roll up and down your back like a window shade."
• And "Bow your head and push on."

After a short admittance into the East Morgan County Hospital in Brush, CO, it was time that Tommy joined his wife, sister, and parents on July 14, 2022. The official cause of death is a heart attack, but we speculate his cause of death was a broken heart.

Tommy was preceded in death by his wife Cathie Kneedler, sister Marlene Hookom, Brother-in-Law Bud Hookom, father Ralph Kneedler, mother Mildred "Dutch" Kneedler, great niece Rebekka Geu (McCaleb), and his and Cathie's mutual friend that never paid up that $20 bet.

He is survived by his sister Jeanene and her husband Dale Mason, son Jimmy Kneedler and wife Laura Westbrock, daughter Wendi Chapin, daughter Cathy Townsend, son Corby and wife Amy Kneedler, grandchildren Samantha, Dylan, Daisha, and Tuck, great grandchildren Hayze, Gunner, and Ivy, many nieces, a nephew, great-nieces, great-nephews, the Friday night crew, the pregnant women he joked about fathering their children, the dice rolling kids, a few old cowboys, and a community of people he loved.

Tommy will be missed by those who knew him for their individual reasons, including his sense of humor, his belly laugh, his selflessness towards others, his friendship, and his love.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Akron.  Interment will follow at the Akron Cemetery.  Memorial donations may be made to the Town of Akron Summer Rec Department.