Thomas Martin (T.M.) Wharton, the son of Martin Elwood and Catherine Joan (Rash) Wharton was born January 4, 1965, in Hampton Roads, Virginia. T.M. attended Rock Port High School, graduating in 1983 and Northwest Missouri State University, in Maryville, Missouri, graduating in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance. He later attended Kansas City Community College, Kansas City, Kansas, graduating in 1995 with a mortuary science degree.

T.M. was employed by First Bank in Maryville as a loan administrator. After receiving his mortuary science degree, he was employed by Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port, for four years. T.M. was later employed by the United States Postal Service until 2005. He was a member of the Missouri Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association.

T.M. was a gifted athlete, excelling in football, basketball and track in high school. He was an accomplished golfer who enjoyed watching the game on television almost as much as playing. T.M. enthusiastically followed the Northwest Bearcats, Mizzou Tigers and Rock Port Blue Jays. T.M. passed away Friday, January 31, 2014, at his home in Rock Port at the age of 49.

Besides his parents, T.M. was preceded in death by his sister, Lisa L. Bock. Survivors include sister, Teresa Gayler and husband, Joe, Rock Port; nephew, Captain Clinton L. Gayler and wife, Mi Hee, and their daughter, Hale`iwa A., Corpus Christi, Texas; niece, Kimberly J. Nuckolls and husband, Brock, and their daughters, Kylie J. and Kinsley G., Rock Port; nephews, Tanner M. Bock, Omaha, Nebraska, and Tayler M. Bock, Columbus, Nebraska; brother-in-law, Tom Bock, Columbus; numerous cousins and countless friends.

Memorial Service: 10:30 A.M., Tuesday, February 4, 2014, Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.
Inurnment: Greenhill Cemetery, Rock Port.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-7:00 P.M., Monday, February 3, 2014, at Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.
Memorials: Rock Port Golf and Country Club Future Golfers Program or Improvement Fund.
Online obituaries and condolences at www.minterfuneralchapels.com
Services under the direction of Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.