Obituary of Thomas Martin Lankas

On June 27, 2024, at 8:07 pm, the world lost a very good man. Thomas Martin Lankas, loving husband to Beulah for 67 years, nurturing father to Tammy, Kevin, Tom and Ethel, and adoring grandfather to Rachel, Lauren, Brooks, Austin, Emma, Carly, Boonie, Connor, Faith, Marty, Joe, and Sarah will be sorely missed. He confessed his belief in Jesus and was ready to go be with him when the time came. One of 12 children, he was born to Frances Danuski Lankas, an immigrant from Poland, and Joseph Martin Lankas, an immigrant from Lithuania, on September 6, 1936 in Lorado, WV. Thomas joined the Marine Corps when he was only 17 and served his country for 4 years including two tours in Okinawa and Iwo Jima. Upon his return to the states, he met and soon married Beulah Janice Adkins in November 1957. Thomas and Beulah had two children; Tammy Sue Lankas (Bevins) and Thomas Martin Lankas II. Thomas briefly worked as a lineman for the power company before he began work at the tipple for Pittson Coal Company, where he worked until his retirement. His daughter Tammy married Kevin Michael Bevins and they would go on to have nine children and ten grandchildren. His son Tom married Ethel Mullins and they would go on to have three children and three grandchildren. He is survived by his beloved wife, and their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. What is the definition of a good man? Some would say it is a man who lives for others and takes care of the ones he loves. Thomas Lankas lived that definition till his last day on this Earth. Despite growing up in poverty, he displayed overwhelming gratefulness for every blessing in life and never took anything for granted. He was a humble man, enjoying tending his garden and sharing the fruits of his labor with anyone he could - a pastime he passed on to his daughter and several of his grandchildren. Thomas was well known for his generous heart for those in need and his hard-working spirit. He was never too busy and his home was never too full for anyone. His love for his family was evident in the quiet care he took in providing for and protecting them in every way a man should. Thomas’ family will think of him at every sunset which he would watch from his porch swing with his beloved wife. They will think of him every time they smell a freshly picked tomato or see rows of corn in a garden. They will think of him every time an old western movie is playing or when passing a coal tipple. Thomas Lankas leaves behind a legacy of love that could never be summed up in mere words but which will continue to live on in his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren as they follow his example of being the highest quality husband, Dad, and PawPaw.