Felts, The Rev. Thomas L.

The Rev. Thomas L. Felts, 62, of Cedar Rapids, died Jan. 18, 2012, at St. Luke's Hospital following a short illness. Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 23, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. The Rev. John Caughron and the Rev. Bill Spangler-Dunning with the Christian Church-Disciples of Christ will officiate. Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Private family interment will be held at Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Ottumwa, with a public memorial service at Davis Street Christian Church at 3 p.m. Monday. Arrangements entrusted to Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Surviving are his wife of 32 years, Jan; his daughters, Angela Felts of Cedar Rapids and Ashley Felts of Tampa, Fla.; grandchildren, Nicholas Davis and Maliha Bell; his foster mother, Ruth Denisar of Champaign, Ill.; his siblings, Roger (Kay) Denisar, Rodney (Diane) Denisar, Mary (Clark) Marquis, Resa (Ross) Mayor and Rita (Kevin) Forness; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Ruth Ann Hickey; and his foster father, Raymond Denisar.

Tom was born Dec. 16, 1949, in Springfield, Ill., the son of Leroy and Pauline (Martin) Felts. He joined his foster family in 1966. He graduated in 1968 in Abington, Ill. He later attended Eureka College and then graduated from Texas Christian University in 1976, with a master's degree in divinity. He was united in marriage to Janette Kay Stoffa on June 9, 1979, in Ottumwa.

Throughout his career as a pastor he had the opportunity to be a part of many churches that included Davis Street Christian Church in Ottumwa, Bladensburg Christian Church, Cedar Memorial Christian Church in Davenport, Coldbrook Christian Church in Cameron, Ill., First Christian Church and Cedar Christian Church in Cedar Rapids, Urbana Christian Church, Waukon Christian Church and Altoona Christian Church. One of his great enjoyments in his call as a pastor was serving as a counselor and director for many Christian summer camps and mission camps for youth. He was instrumental in the building of cabin structures for the camps' use.

Tom enjoyed reading, woodworking, long distance bike riding as well as popular and rock n' roll music. He also enjoyed sports and had spent time coaching soccer when his daughters were young.

Tom will forever be remembered for his caring nature, always having a smile on his face, his enjoyment for a good joke or story and sharing a laugh. He was a people-focused person whose contributions will be forever remembered.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Tom's honor may be made to the Christian Conference Center, 5064 Lincoln St., Newton, IA 50208 or to the American Diabetes Association.

Please leave a message, tribute or memory to Tom's family on the webpage, www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Jan. 20, 2012