Thomas David Padilla

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Thomas David Padilla, fondly known as Tommy Dave. On the morning of September 23, 2024, the clouds lifted and he was ushered into heaven, at Research Medical Center, surrounded by family.

Tommy Dave the eldest of 6 children, was born on August 9, 1957 in Kansas City, MO. Our family was not expecting Tommy Dave’s life to be cut so short, so soon. We are all devastated by this huge loss and he will be forever missed.

Tommy was passionate about enjoying the outdoors, spending lots of time fishing, especially fishing with his Grandma Socorro at the Padilla cabin in the Ozarks.

He had incredible artistic talent; many of his friends and family would say “He could draw anything!”.

Music was his second language. He loved music, especially Rock and though the years, played guitar and bass in many bands. He was also proud to have sung with his brothers in the boys choir at Boys-Town, Nebraska.

He was also a die-hard fan of the Kansas City Chiefs. The day before his passing, he said “When is the Chiefs game on, I want to watch it!”.

Tommy Dave held many jobs, mostly connected with construction in the K.C. area.

Tommy was strong willed and stubborn at times but, he also had an enormous heart and a wonderful sense of humor and a quick wit. He touched many lives and will be missed and remembered.

He was predeceased by his precious baby daughter, Sierra Renee, whom he lost at just 21 days old; mother, Judy and stepfather, Cal Wellander; sister-in-law, Cindy Padilla; and his paternal grandparents, Socorro and Tom “Wimpy” Padilla.

He is survived by: his partner, Amy Picolet; son, Justin “JT”; father and step-mother, Tom “Bebo” and Judy Padilla, brothers, Rick Padilla, Tony (Lori) Padilla; sisters, Aleta (John) Padilla, Carmen Padilla and Teresa Hale; many nieces and nephews, many aunts and uncles, and many many cousins; he also leaves his beloved pets, Coco and Baby.

There will be a funeral Mass at 10:00am on October 19, 2024 at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 9020 E 51st Terrace, Kansas City, MO. Visitation will be held at 9:00am.

“Seeing death at the end of life is like seeing the horizon as the end of the ocean” -Author Unknown