Thomas P. Kones, 77, rural Castlewood, SD, died Sunday evening, April 13, 2014 at his home following a short illness. Thomas Palmer "Korky" Kones was born April 22, 1936, to Nicholas and Emily "Rose" (Huss) Kones in Castlewood. He grew up in the Castlewood and Custer, SD areas and attended school in those communities. He entered the US Marine Corps on May 28, 1954 at Camp Pendleton, CA, and served three years active duty in Hawaii, Japan, and Korea. Following his honorable discharge from the US Marine Corps, Tom married Janice Tillma on November 4, 1961 in Castlewood. They were blessed with four children. He worked as an apprentice plumber in Aberdeen, SD, before operating his own plumbing business in Estelline, SD. He later worked on various road construction crews in Minnesota and South Dakota, the Hamlin County Highway Department, and Olin Corporation in Rauville, SD, until it closed. He then stayed home to care for his ailing wife until her passing in 1988. Tom was an avid outdoorsman and especially enjoyed hunting season with his family. He liked carpentry and dedicated a year of his life to build the family's "house on the hill". Tom had a keen interest in collecting rocks, gems, and minerals. He also had a great love for his pets. He is survived by three sons, Alan (Deb) of Aberdeen, SD, Ken (Jodi) of Watertown, SD, and Terry (Jason) of Roseville, MN; and one daughter Beth (John) Fullmer of Prior Lake, MN ; five grandchildren: Justin, Angela, Ben, Niesje, and Alicia; four step-grandchildren: Chris, Aaron, Nate, and Derik; and one step-great grandson, Jayden. He is also survived by two sisters, Shirley Jongeling of Castlewood, and Hazel Klos of Watertown; one brother, Joe (Faye) Kones of Watertown, SD; and a host of other relatives. He was preceeded in death by his wife, Jan; his parents; two brothers and their wives, Ed (Mary Alice), and Bill (Millie); and two brothers-in-law, Francis Klos and Donald Jongeling. A visitation will be held Friday evening, April 18, from 4:00 - 8:00 at the Geise Funeral Chapel in Castlewood. A private family burial service will be held at the Castlewood Cemetery with Pastor Terry Drew of the First Presbyterian Church officiating.