Thomas (Tom) Gibson Vanderford, a loving husband, Dad, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa, passed away at age 83 on Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018. He fought the good fight against leukemia, and though he succumbed to the disease after 4 short months, those months were filled with family, love, and cherished memories.
His family welcomes all in CELEBRATION of a life well-lived. Because of the Hawaiian family and culture that he loved and married into, formal attire is not required at his memorial services.
A Visitation for Thomas (Tom) will be held Saturday, April 28, 2018 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131.
A Funeral Service will occur Saturday, April 28, 2018 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131.
A Committal Service with Full Military Honors will occur Saturday, April 28, 2018 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Mount Moriah Cemetery South, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131.
Tom was born August 23, 1934 in Billings, Montana to C. Everett Vanderford (of Nemaha Co. Nebraska) and Nora (Gibson) Vanderford (of Middlesbrough, England). Tom was the younger brother of Lt. Col. Donald Vanderford (who preceded him in death). As a child, the family moved from Montana to Gordon, Nebraska; Kansas City, Missouri; Auburn, Nebraska; then finally to Green Bay, Wisconsin; where Tom graduated from Green Bay West High School in 1953.
During the Korean War, Tom enlisted to serve in the army. After Reykjavik, Iceland he was stationed at Fort Riley Kansas where he met his future wife and forever love, Rosalina Tangonan (of Waipahu, Hawaii). After his military service, he went on to a long and rewarding career with Hallmark Cards until his retirement in 1997.
Throughout his life Tom loved his wife, 5 children, 8 grandkids, and two great grandkids. He enjoyed painting, model building, reading history books, coffee and running. After age 45 he was proud to have completed 2 full marathons, 5 half marathons, and countless 5 and 10 k’s. After retiring from the race circuit, he continued walking over 1 & 1/2 miles daily into his 80’s, with his dog Sam (Samurai), and continued this up until Christmas Day, 2017.
Tom also enjoyed traveling the world. From Iceland and Norway while in the service, and many trips to Hawaii visiting family, he also travelled across the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa.
His family will LOVE and miss him forever.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mtmoriah.net for the Vanderford family.
