Daniel Tarum

Daniel Gordon Tarum was born on December 18, 1957, to Melvin and Eunice Tarum in McPherson, KS He passed away on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at his home in McPherson, KS.

In his growing up years, Daniel was involved in music, playing oboe in the band and orchestra, tenor sax in the marching band, and electric bass in Jazz Ensemble. He also played in a band called “Ozone.” He attended and was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church. He achieved the Rank of Eagle in Boy Scouts. He graduated from McPherson High School in 1976, then attended Hutchinson Community College. He continued to play in the jazz ensemble under the direction of Bryce Luty, while achieving his Associates of Arts Degree in Electronics in 1979. Later, he continued his education at Wichita State University, earning a B.S in General Studies in 1985, and a Master’s in Communication in 1989.

From a very young age, he always had a fascination with and understanding of electronics. He enjoyed creating his own projects and taking apart electrical equipment, and sometimes putting them back together. He worked in broadcast engineering for KAKE TV and KSN TV, and KMUW and KHCC Radio stations. At one point while he was attending WSU, he was the Chief Engineer/Operator for up to 4 radio stations simultaneously. He transitioned to working at Farmland Industries in Hutchinson as Communications Engineer, and then Western Wireless where he mapped and designed optimal cell tower locations and systems operations. Over the years, he worked as a communications engineer for Electronic Sales and Service in Wichita, and also had his own company, Digisound, providing sound equipment and engineering for concerts and events.

He was a life-long learner – he obtained his pilot’s license, he was a ham radio operator, he tutored high school students in math and physics, he would listen to radio programs and podcasts and watch documentaries and have 1-2 books he was reading. He loved traveling to the mountains of Colorado with friends. He enjoyed target shooting. He especially enjoyed his 2 special dogs, Tyrone and Coco. He treasured time with family, making trips out to Iola, KS, to be with his sister Julie’s family, and with helping care for his nephews and niece in Wichita.

Dan had lived in Wichita from 1979 – 2015, when he moved back to McPherson to help care first for his mom as she battled Alzheimer’s, and then for his dad as he battled lung issues and declining health. Dan found his church home with many family and friends at New Gottland Lutheran Church. He would frequently speak of Bible Studies, sermons, going out to lunch, having help from friends, and being a part of a welcoming community.

Dan was preceded in death by grandparents Atle and Jennie (Hansen) Tarum; grandparents Frank and Evangeline (Eva Burk) Bentson; sister and brother-in-law Julie and David Tidd; parents Melvin and Eunice Tarum.

He is survived by sister and brother-in-law, Nancy (David) Woodruff of Wichita, KS and their children Brandon, Kristin, and Ryan; sister-in-law, Laura Tidd of Crown Point, IN; and by Julie and David’s children: Josh (Emily) Tidd and Ezekiel, Eva, and Alice of Lincoln NE, Joel (Leslie) Tidd and Micah of Bremerton, WA, Jason (Kaitlyn) Alatidd of Topeka, KS, Jonathan (Ellen) Tidd and Charlotte of Manhattan, KS, Jennifer Tidd of Shawnee, KS, Jessica (RJ) Stovall of Emporia KS; and numerous cousins.

A graveside service will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, June 28, 2025, at New Gottland Lutheran Church Cemetery with a funeral service following at 11:00 AM, Saturday, at New Gottland Lutheran Church, 1822 17th Avenue, McPherson, with Pastor Laura Smith officiating.

The family requests memorials in Dan’s honor to New Gottland Lutheran Church in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 N. Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.