Thomas "Tim" A. Masters

The man, the myth, the legend, has gone to meet his maker. Tim fought hard at everything he did. He fought cancer for 5 years and finally lost his battle on May 11, 2026 surrounded by the people who truly loved him. He spent his early childhood hunting and fishing, riding his horses for miles with or without his brother Charlie, who passed in 1979 at the age of 25. Tim was a force to be reckoned with at an early age, always pushing to be the best in every endeavor. His parents bought two gas stations, and at the age of 14, he was Gates national champ for selling fan belts. He was on the Burlingame High School 1972 undefeated state champion team. From there he married the love of his life, Bev Emperley, from Carbondale, KS in 1973. He told her on their second date that he wanted to marry her and have a baby named Joey Dale. They went on to have 2 sons, Joey and Tommy, then divorced in 1977. He then married Diane Michael of Osage City, KS and along came Amber and Christopher. Diane had brought a daughter Nicole to the marriage. They divorced in 1989 and Tim and Bev remarried in 1990. Although it was raining on that May 12th, the heavens were smiling. At the time of his death they were married 36 years.

Tim was born to Dale and Rosa May Masters on September 23, 1955. Rosa May passed away in 1990 and Dale in 1991, 7 months apart. Bev’s mother died shortly after Dale. They lost 3 parents in 10 months to cancer, and Tim and Bev always believed God brought them back together so they could help each other grieve. Then the fun began!

Tim and Bev took over the family farm, and their hay company flourished. In 1999. Tim was shocked when the county told them they were the largest hay producer in Eastern Kansas. By then, the boys had grown up and moved out, and Tim decided sell out and move to Colorado. In Crawford, Colorado they bought and ran a 9-bedroom lodge, 2 restaurants and bars, a c-store/gas station, and a liquor store. Tim again excelled. He and Bev brought the town of Crawford to life. The bars were packed every weekend with live bands and lots of dancing. They bought 700 acres SE of Gunnison, CO and spent their free time (if any) camping there. Things changed when the grandbabies started coming though and Bev wanted to move back to Topeka. Tim went to work for Bill Kobach selling cars and quickly became the assistant manager. He left there and went to Ed Bozarth, usually being the top salesperson. In 2004 they moved to Vassar, KS and bought Green Acres General Store at Pomona State Lake, then Petticoat Junction truck stop and End of the Trail in Lebo, Kansas.

Shortly thereafter he was diagnosed with heart disease and was told to liquidate. He astonishingly recovered and they bought Tim’s Pit Stop and Pit Stop Wine & Spirits. In 2010 they sold Pit Stop but kept the liquor store. In 2013 Tim bought a semi and began Masters Trucking Company. In 2015, after another battle with his heart he was forced to quit trucking. He and Bev then took back over the liquor store and ran it for another 5 years. In 2020 he retired and he and Bev started traveling. Always driving. Tim was afraid of flying.

Tim’s life was filled with as much fun and laughter as one could ever have. He kept in touch with his entire senior class, recently orchestrating yearly class reunions. In his younger years if he wasn’t working, he was hunting or fishing or having parties. He once shot a bull elk and also unknowingly shot the female standing on the other side! And don’t forget all of the pheasant hunting mishaps. I’m smiling as I write this. He was a great man, and his good heart, trickery and laughter will be missed by more people than he could have ever imagined. He was a trusted friend, a great husband, loving father and Papa.

He was predeceased by his parents Dale and Rosa May Masters, brother Charles (Charlie) Masters, and son Christopher Masters.

Tim leaves behind his loving wife, Bev, son Joe Masters (Angela) of Mt. Airy, MD, Tom Masters (Jenny) of Wakarusa, KS, Amber Chaffee (Matt) of Scranton, KS, Nicole Baily, Osage City, KS and 8 grandchildren Brett, Clayton, Kyle, Evan, Morgan, Ashley, Claire and Waylon.

Services will begin with a visitation Friday, May 15, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the Federated Church of Burlingame, 322 S Topeka Ave, Burlingame, KS 66413. Celebration of Life will follow on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 1:00 p.m., also at the church. Tim will be laid to rest next to his parents in the Burlingame Community Cemetery.

Please share a story or memory for his family below in the guestbook.