Thomas Jefferson McKillip

Trumbull resident Thomas Jefferson McKillip Jr., 67, passed away Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at his home.

Services will be at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Butler Volland Chapel in Hastings with Pastor Lance Clay officiating. Memorials may be given to the family for a memorial to be established at a later date. The service will be live-streamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s website. To view the service, go to Thomas’s obituary and click the play button shown towards the bottom of the page. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lbvfh.com. Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home & Cremation Center is serving the family.

Thomas was born on February 12, 1959, in St. Charles, Missouri, to Susan Jane Reins McKillip and Thomas Jefferson McKillip. He grew up with three siblings: Gale, Loretta "Lolly," and Anthony "Tony" McKillip.

In 1980, Thomas met Kelly Sue Lautenschlager in Hastings, Nebraska. The couple was united in marriage in 1981 at Cody Park in North Platte, Nebraska. Together they built a life centered on faith and family and were blessed with two children, Thomas Jefferson McKillip III (TJ) and Natasha Marie McKillip Goodman.

Throughout his life, Thomas worked in a variety of trades, including custom cabinet making, forklift operating, construction, mechanical repair, and farm equipment fabrication. He was employed by Hastings Hide, ORIDA Foods, PW Pipe, and Bish Enterprises, where he retired in 2020

Thomas loved the Lord and cherished his family and friends. He found joy in fishing, gardening, working in his yard, fixing up cars, and spending time with his children and granddaughter, Taylee.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Gale; his father-in-law and mother-in-law; and multiple brothers-in-law.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Kelly; his son, TJ (Michelle) of Omaha; his daughter, Natasha (Troy) of Omaha; his beloved granddaughter, Taylee, of Omaha; his sister, Lolly (Jerome Madden) of North Platte; his brother, Tony (Bethany) of McCook; six sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Thomas deeply loved his family and treasured every opportunity to be with them. In his later years, as his mobility became more limited, those moments together became even more meaningful. His kindness, steady presence, words of wisdom, and love for those closest to him will be remembered always.