MR. THOMAS E. LAVERS, beloved husband of Katherine ""Kay"" Lavers, of Lethbridge, passed away on Thursday, January 18, 2007 at the age of 83 years.

Tom was born in Nanton, Alberta, in 1923. As his father was a United Church minister, the family moved frequently throughout Alberta during Tom's childhood. With an ARCT completed in both voice and piano, and training on the pipe organ, Tom made music a part of his life for many years. Tom's first career was in radio, starting with CKUA in Edmonton, followed by stations in Winnipeg, Ottawa (CFRA) and Montreal (CJAD). In 1955, Tom moved to Medicine Hat to start his second career as a businessman, becoming manager of the Alberta Linseed Oil company. In 1964, Tom came to Lethbridge as Bulk Oil Dealer for Texaco. Once in Lethbridge, Tom joined McKillop United Church and the choir as well as the Kiwanis Club. In the choir, he met Kay and they were married in 1970. His involvement with the choir led to him becoming conductor of the Symphony Chorus, a 125 voice choir which later became Vox Musica at the University of Lethbridge. He loved conducting, as he directed both choir and symphony for a number of years, putting on a pops concert in the fall and challenging the choir with an oratorio in the spring. As a Kiwanian, Tom enjoyed his work with Kiwanis Music Festival in charge of the Scholarship Committee while Kay put in many hours as a volunteer. In the 1980's, Kay became a Director of the Exhibition Board and together, they became a fixture at Whoop-Up Days. Kay created and organized Hobby World which took over an entire building, while every year, Tom was ""The Ice Cream Man"", making ice cream in an old-fashioned crank maker and serving it to hundreds of children, young and old. Travelling with Kay, gardening and reading to his grandchildren were Tom's great pleasures until Tom and Kay moved to River Ridge condos in 1998.

Besides his loving wife Kay, Thomas is survived by his daughters, Alyson (Mike Jones) Lavers, Leslie Lavers, Daphne (Rod Tennyson) Lavers; brother George (Betty) Lavers; 5 grandchildren; step-sons Richard (Janet Moe) Lonsdale, Edward (Lorna) Lonsdale.

Thomas was predeceased by his parents Oswald and Margaret; brother Jim Lavers; step-daughter Kathy Lonsdale.

Family and Friends are invited to pay their respects between 3:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M., on Sunday, January 21, 2007 at MARTIN BROS. RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610-4th St. S.

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, January 22, 2007 at 2:00 P.M. at MCKILLOP UNITED CHURCH, 2329-15 Ave. S., Lethbridge, with Reverend Cathy Coates, officiating. Interment to follow Mountain View Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Kiwanis Music Festival Scholarship Trust Fund or the Kiwanis Festival Endowment Fund (care of Dr. Keith Robin (327-0458).