Thomas Harding Magness was born in Prescott, Arkansas on June 14, 1942 to Dr. William Cantrell Magness and Jeanne Larkin Magness. When Dr. Magness was in the Army, Jeanne, Tom, and his younger brother, David, lived with their paternal grandparents in Western Grove, Arkansas, and later with Jeanne’s family in New York City. After World War II, the family moved to Camden, Arkansas, where Dr. Magness opened a private practice; then they moved to North Little Rock, Arkansas where Tom’s father worked at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital. The family moved to Branson, Missouri, in 1952 where Tom graduated from high school in 1960. He then enrolled at the University of Arkansas where he majored in Mathematics. Tom married Americanna May Awbrey on April 21st, 1961. In four years he obtained a Bachelors Degree and a Masters in Mathematics and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1964.

After graduation from the University of Arkansas, his young family moved to Wichita, Kansas where he took a position at Boeing Aircraft. He had an accomplished career spanning 33 years as a Scientific Systems Analyst with Boeing Computer Services. He started his career at the dawn of the computer age and later participated in multiple large projects, including the development of the 747 and 777 aircraft.

After his retirement in 1997, Tom and Americanna moved back to the Branson area and spent 22 years living in a beautiful cabin on Table Rock Lake. An avid sports fan, he followed the Razorbacks, Kansas Jayhawks, St. Louis Cardinals, and the Branson Pirates. He and Americanna were deeply involved in planning and organizing Branson High School class reunions. He enjoyed boating on the lake, and entertaining friends and family with stories from the “good old days” of Branson. He enjoyed dining with his fellow alums from Branson High at many eateries around town.

He is survived by three children: Lynne Erin Magness Murrow (husband Keith) of Wichita, KS, Patrick Awbrey Magness (wife Melody) of Rockwall, TX, and Michael Alan Magness (wife Ronda) of Wichita, KS. Tom is survived by four beloved grandchildren: Alexandra Magness Smith, Shane Patrick Magness, Mackenzie Magness Parks, and Kacey Marie Murrow; and four great grandchildren Watson Magness Smith, William Thomas Parks, Samantha Jeanne Parks, and Archer Emmett Smith.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, January 26, 2022 with a visitation to begin at 10:00 AM. Burial to be at 3:00 PM in the Western Grove Cemetery in Western Grove, Arkansas, under the direction of the Greenlawn Funeral Home in Branson, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Branson R-IV Education Foundation, PO Box 697, Branson, Missouri 65615.

His wit and sense of humor will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.