Glen E. (Bud) Tolman, 83, of Overland Park, Kansas passed on January 9, 2019.
Bud was born to Glen and Wilma Tolman on February 9, 1935 in Kansas City, Kansas. After attending Washington High School, he spent a few years on a custom harvest crew and was then drafted into the Army. In 1960 he graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Ag Education. He married Zola LeSage in 1960. Other than a short stint in Denver, where Bud worked for Ciba-Geigy, they lived together in Overland Park, Kansas most of their lives. Together they raised 2 children.
He leaves, as his legacy, 2 children: Lori Kowalski, and Grant Tolman (Anjanette) as well as 3 grandchildren, Chloe Kowalski and Grayson & Annie Tolman. His children remember him as an honorable, and loving father. In addition to his beloved wife, he also leaves two siblings, Janice Lewis and Linda Tolman, to cherish his memory.
Bud was President and Co-Founder of Chem-Trol, Inc., Vegetation Management Supply, Inc and Arbor-ROW, Inc. from 1964 until he sold his businesses and retired in 2006. He was known to all as a kindhearted, generous and successful businessman.
Bud was also a Mason and a fraternity member of the Shawnee Masonic Lodge, The Scottish Rite and Abdallah Shriners.
During his retirement, Bud spent many days at his 240 acre farm in Mound City, Kansas where he created a beautiful sanctuary including a 3 acre pond, planted fruit trees, and spent time hunting and fishing. He loved his solitude in harmony with mother-nature. He volunteered at the Overland Park Arboretum working on things like prairie restoration, giving tours and running event parking. Bud also spent many happy hour afternoons at Overtime Bar as well as Johnny’s Tavern. His amusing character and spirit were enjoyed by all who met him and will live on through his crew of friends and those whose lives he touched.
Services to honor Bud are scheduled for February 9th, with a visitation at 12:30 and a service at 1:30 at Country Club Christian Church, at 6101 Ward Pkwy, Kansas City, MO. A Celebration of Life will follow (location TBD) from 3:00 – 5:00 according to Bud’s wishes. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to The Kansas State University Foundation Tolman Family Scholarship. Bud and Zola endowed this scholarship to provide financial assistance for excellent students majoring in Agriculture. Contributions may be sent to: KSU Foundation, 1800 Kimball Ave., Ste 200, Manhattan, KS 66502. Please indicate fund M47241. To make a gift online, go to www.ksufoundation.org/give/memorials. Assistance by Funeral Advocates, LLC.
God bless my Uncle. See you there.
I will never forget “Young Man #1!” It was my honor and privilege to share the “south side” with him. My greatest condolences to Grant and the entire family.
LORI AND GRANT:SO SORRY TO HEAR OF THE PASSING OF YOUR DAD!! BUD WAS A GREAT MAN !! HE WILL BE MISSED! THOUGHTS AND PRAYRS FOR YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY!! STEVE
Ah, Bud Tolman. The world is a considerably less friendly and less congenial place after your passing. You will continue to be my benchmark in how to be a fair, loving, honest, and compassionate human being. I hope that you and I will one day meet again.
Lori and Grant my condolences.IAlways felt ? great after seeing him
God bless the captain and Dianinita
Lori and Grant my condolences.IAlways felt ? great after seeing him
God bless the captain and Dianita
To one of my best friends of all time. Bud was a very generous and kind man. His friends throughout the years will never forget him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bud and the Tolman family.
Dakota Bob and Family
Great man.
Lynda and I loved the times we spent with Bud at Johnny’s. What a gallant man, I feel fortunate to be one of the few to visit the farm with him. It was a place of solace for him for sure. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Bob and Lynda Morris
So glad I had the pleasure over the last few years to get to know this great man. You will truly be missed Bud. Prayers to Grant, Lori and their families.
Bud started as a client and became a dear friend. My favorite old school client that thought a business lunch should include a Ketal One Vodka (or two)…and those lunches continued after we retired. I’ll miss him, great man!
Bud was a great man and boss he took a chance on me in 1996 and I enjoyed working for and with him he will be missed prayers to Grant and Lori and you family.
Frank Dobbins
Bud will be missed by all. A man who never met a stranger.
Tall, dark and handsome and so funny, too!! What a great father he was to you, Lori. I always admired him and looked up to him, literally. I know he expected a lot out of you when we were frowning up and you always did your best. I know how much you loved him and will miss him. My prayers are with you and your family.
Bud, what an honor it was to share a laugh and a smile?. You always had a special way of making people feel welcome as you greated them at church, you will be greatly missed?
Cheers to you my friend
Bud will always be remembered as our unforgettable, fun and entertaining friend. We cherish memories of the good times with Bud and family in Denver and Overland Park. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers.
Thank you Mel. I still cannot believe he is gone
I loved your dad from the day we met him. What a kind and gentle man. He will be missed by so many .
Praying you are comforted by all your wonderful memories .
Dear Tolman Family,
I just heard yesterday at Church that Bud had passed away. My heart breaks for you all. He was the sweetest, kindest, loving, funny and one of the best men I ever knew. I served on his team, on the collection plate at Country Club Christian Church. I looked forward to seeing him at Church as he was a ray of sunshine every Sunday. He will be dearly missed.
Bud was a fair and generous man. The kind of person you would truly want to call best friend forever. His trust inspired me to be a better person to my fellow man. He was always a positive voice when times were tough. It is my privilege to have know him.
My condolences to the Tolman family. Gonna miss you Bud
Bud was still one of our most enthusiastic and dedicated high school classmates… working hard to keep our continuing events successful. We all loved Bud and will miss him. See you again some day, old buddy…
So sorry for the loss of Bud! Such a personable man & great neighbor! A friend to all who knew him! So FUN to be in his presence. Just an all around GREAT GUY, loved by so many! God Bless!
Beautiful!
Great guy. Had lots of fun with him
We so miss your mom and dad.They were such wonderful and fun friends. We cherish the many quality times we had together. Early on I went to see her, but to no avail. Please let us know how she is. Carmen and Clarence Roeder