Thomas Karl Van Pelt

Thomas Karl

Van Pelt

Thomas Karl Van Pelt, 39, of Piedmont, SD, passed away on May 13, 2018, near Bear Butte, SD.

Thomas Karl Van Pelt, son of Timothy and Linda (Pingrey) Van Pelt, was born February 22, 1979, in Mitchell, SD. He grew up in the Mitchell area and graduated from Mitchell High School. He furthered his education at Mitchell Technical Institute enrolling in the Telecommunications Program.

Tom worked in the telecommunications field for nearly 20 years. He was employed by SDN communications, Vantage Point Solutions, and Verizon. He most recently worked for SDN Communications as a network technician.

Tom was united in marriage to Tia Voyles on August 4, 2007. Their new family included daughters, Ali and Hannah, who were soon followed by Tessa and Levi. He was a devoted, kind, and loving father and husband. His children were his top priority.

Tom resided in Sioux Falls for many years before following the call of the Black Hills where he could enjoy his love of nature. The Sturgis motorcycle rally was a huge part of Tom's life; he has not missed a year since 1998. He enjoyed the wind on his face, the rumble of the engine, and was always happiest when on his bike. In 2014, he made Piedmont his home. It was the happiest time of his life.

Tom enjoyed working in his shop and around the yard. He was always working on one project or another taking pride in all his work. He loved spending time with his children taking them for hikes in the hills, on ATV rides, and teaching them about the outdoors. He loved riding through the hills on his motorcycle with his friends and brothers from all over the country. Needles Highway was his favorite ride.

Grateful for having shared his life are his loving wife, Tia (Voyles); his four amazing children, Aliyah (Charlie) Kono, Sioux Falls, SD, Hannah, Mitchell, SD, and Tessa and Levi, Piedmont, SD; his parents, Timothy and Linda Van Pelt, Mitchell, SD; his sister, Becki Van Pelt, Omaha, NE; his mother and father-in-law, Robert "Bob" and Cindy Voyles; his brother-in-law, Jesse (Kayla) Voyles; a large extended family; and his friends from the Brother's Keepers Motorcycle Club and US Military Vets Motorcycle Club.

He was preceded in death by his great-grandmother, Hazel Van Pelt; grandparents, Karl and Gertrude Van Pelt, Sadie Paul, and Herbert Pingrey; uncle, Nick Van Pelt; aunt, Tammy Van Pelt; and good friend, Mike Kutz.

Tom will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. He would do anything to help a friend, but most of all anything for his wife and children.

Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, May 21, at Hills View Evangelical Free in Piedmont, SD.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 22, 2018, at Hills View Evangelical Free in Piedmont, SD. Burial will follow at Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis, SD.

A memorial has been established.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com .