Tom fought gracefully and won a 14-month battle with throat, pancreatic, and glioblastoma (August 2009 - October 2010). After his first bout of glioblastoma, we were blessed with another 10 amazing years filled with many significant life events that we would have not been able to enjoy without him. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his immediate, loving family at his home and was preceded in death by his parents Tom and Louise LanFranca.
Tom graduated from Northeast High School in 1965 and then went on to serve in the United States Air Force for 4 years during the Vietnam War (Kuyas 6922 Security Wing 1966-1969). He was always an entrepreneur at heart and spent over a decade dedicated to his family’s restaurant, Louisa’s Drive-In, and the following 30+ years building many lifelong relationships through his life and final expense insurance businesses until his retirement in September 2018. Tom was also a part of the Knights of Columbus (St. John LaLande), a Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, and also granted the rank of Eagle Scout in Boy Scout Troop 125 (Kansas City).
Tom is survived by his loving wife and best friend Lucille of 38 years and was a dedicated father to his eldest son Tom and his wife Ade and youngest son Pete and his wife Arielle. Also, his furry grandpets Ace, Coco and Dexie. In addition, he is survived by his many loving family members and friends that have been with him through his courageous battle with cancer. The generosity and kindness you have shown our family is truly indescribable. We would like to give a special thank you to the Crossroads Hospice and Palliative Care team who helped care for Tom and provided moral support to his family throughout this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be sent to the National Brain Tumor Society and Gilda's Club of KC in c/o Thomas A. LanFranca.
