• A scholarship program for graduates of Buffalo High School.

    The Fund offers scholarships of up to four years for its recipients.

  • Over 250 Recipients

    Since 1947, the Thom Scholarship has awarded scholarships to over 250 recipients.

  • Over $3 Million in Grants

    The fund has offset over $3 Million in higher education costs for our recipients.

The Johnson County High School Scholarship Fund was established on December 1, 1944, by the descendants of Margaret Esther Bouton Thom and William John Thom. Gradually over time, the fund became known as the “Thom Scholarship Fund”.

The purpose of the fund is to provide a lasting memorial for Margaret Esther Bouton Thom and W. J. Thom, and to support graduates of Buffalo High School pursuing higher education.

As was written at the time:

“It is the purpose of this Trust to enable persons of good habits and promise to obtain a college education if they would otherwise not be able to do so, or if they could do so only at great sacrifice in the struggle to obtain an education and earn a living at the same time, in order that they may become better citizens of this country and of their community and be able to better meet their responsibilities.”

A vision for Johnson County’s future.

Early family portrait. Pictured from left to right are Janet Clare Thom, WIlliam John Thom, Margaret Esther Bouton Thom, and John Culbertson Thom, II

An Early Family Portrait

William John Thom and Margaret Esther Bouton Thom are pictured here with their two oldest children, Janet Clare Thom, and John C. Thom, II. Photo taken in St. Louis, Missouri.

Stewards of the Fund

The creators of the Johnson County High School Charitable Fund specified that no trustee shall be compensated for his or her service. The stewards of the fund have taken their responsibility seriously; guiding the fund through decades of time, ensuring a lasting opportunity for future generations.

The trustees are:

  • Nicholas Thom

  • Mike Moon

  • Julia Bettinger

  • Jennifer McMahan

Past Trustees include:

  • Raymond Holt

  • Richard Reimann

  • Connie Goddard

  • William Adams

  • Robert Holt

  • W. R. Holt

  • Burt Griggs

  • J. R. Strother

Margaret Esther Bouton Thom pictured with her son John Culbertson Thom, II. John has his arm around his mother and they are looking at each other smiling. The picture was taken at Camp Comfort in the Big Horn Mountains above Buffalo, WY.

Mother & Son

Margaret Esther Bouton Thom with her son, John C. Thom, II at Camp Comfort in the Bighorn Mountains above Buffalo, Wyoming.

Summer at Camp Comfort

Margaret Esther Bouton and W. J. Thom pictured next to their wagon at Camp Comfort in the Bighorn Mountains above Buffalo.

Lobban Avenue House

Margaret Thom with her young son, John C. Thom, II in their home on Lobban Ave. in Buffalo. The Congregational church is pictured on the hill in the background.

St. Luke’s Auxiliary May Party

Margaret Esther Bouton Thom wearing a dress from her own trousseau and her mother’s bonnet during the St. Luke’s Church Auxiliary May Party in Buffalo.

Brothers

Pictured above are William B. Thom and John C. Thom, II, the sons of W. J. and Margaret Bouton Thom. The picture was taken at their Buffalo.