Thad E. McCloskey

Thad Eugene McCloskey, 42, a lifetime McPherson, KS resident, passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at his home.  Thad worked as a process controller at Viega in McPherson. 

Thad was born on February 26, 1981, in McPherson, KS, the son of Richard and Thelma Ann (Riley) McCloskey.  He graduated from McPherson High School in 1999. 

Survivors include: his brother, Gary Booth of Holton, KS; sister, Charlotte Schmidt; longtime girlfriend, Rose Crooks of McPherson, KS; nieces & nephews, Savanna Booth, Garison Booth, Mikayla Booth, and Jordan Booth.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Tamara Booth and Michelle Clemons.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, March 17, 2023, at Stockham Family Funeral Home.  Inurnment will follow at the McPherson Cemetery. 

Memorial donations may be given to the McPherson Animal Shelter in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460. 

From a young age, Thad loved the outdoors. He would go exploring with his trusty dog Bear, and they would hunt for squirrels and birds. He loved to go fishing; it was one of his favorite pastimes. Even as he got older, the nicer the weather got outside, the more he itched to go to the lake.

His smile would light up the room. He loved to play pranks on others and give them a hard time to make them feel comfortable around him. His laugh was contagious. He touched more lives than he ever knew.

Thad loved with his whole heart. He protected anything and everything that meant something to him. He loved his momma and would often reminisce about her. He talked all the time about how proud he was of his niece who was going to school to be a doctor and his nephew who was playing football and how amazing he was. He was proud that his step-nephew was doing so well in Washington. Whether he saw his family or not, they were always in heart and on his mind.

In 2019, Thad gained another great love. He got Gunner, a Golden Retriever. Gunner was not just a dog. To Thad, he was like a prince. Wherever Thad was, Gunner was never far behind. He worried about Gunner when he was sick or left alone for too long or in a new place.

For most of his adult life, he was an avid Chiefs fan. He would never miss a game during the season. When the Chiefs won the Super Bowl in the 2019, he got emotional that it took 50 years for that to happen. In the 2022 season, they did it again and Thad wanted more.

Thad was an avid movie watcher. His favorite movie was Tombstone. He could quote the entire movie from start to finish.  He loved Sci-Fi, comedies, Marvel movies, and his girlfriend would get him to watch romantic comedies. He would find quotes throughout movies and quote them back to you. His favorite actor was Leonardo DiCaprio because of his acting and his animal and world activism.

Thad spent a lot of time at brother Gary's place, and they enjoyed hunting and fishing with the kids, among other adventurous outings together.  

Thad enjoyed spending time with his girlfriend, Rose. They lived their life outside the normal confines of a relationship, keeping their love for only themselves. Each day they would send each other loving messages when they woke up and before they went to bed. They protected one another, and their love for one another is eternal. He taught Rose to be stronger.

Thad is gone but he will never be forgotten.