Thomas Alexander Toole
Thomas Alexander Toole of Holden, Missouri passed away at his home January 20, 2025.
Tom was born in Cadiz, Ohio on June 27, 1941, to Roy Paul Toole and Dorothy Mae Kilpatrick Toole.
He completed his education in local schools, then joined the United States Air Force. His basic training was at Lackland Air Base in Texas. He was sent to Fairchild Air Base near Spokane, Washington. He served in several areas at the base, including flight line and social service areas.
He enjoyed planning dances, picnics and other affairs For the GIs. At one of the dances he met Virginia, asked her for a date and they began a 63-year love affair. They were married at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church near Gonzaga University, August 22nd, 1962, after she graduated from nursing school.
When Tom was discharged from the Air Force, he went to live with his mother who was working in Holden at the time.
Tom had a job working for a company that made tractor cabs so after honeymooning from Spokane to Troy Montana, to Yellowstone Park, through Wyoming, (Virginia was born and grew up there before her folks moved to Idaho) through Colorado to Holden, where they lived on North Pine and Main Street, while they built their new home on O Highway. Over 16 years, eight children were born to them. four boys and four girls.
Tom was educated in electronics and worked with Johnny Walker pioneering EKG and heart defibrillator machines. He spent the rest of his working years repairing said machines for doctors and hospitals in Kansas City. After retiring from these jobs, he worked part-time for Home Depot before final retirement.
He wanted Virginia to retire also, but she liked her job and didn’t retire until she completed 50 years as a nurse in local hospitals.
They traveled about the country as some of their seven children lived out-of-state. Tom talked about a trip to Australia but never went.
The last few years he spent working in his woodshop, making Cedar chests and patio furniture and occasionally repairing someone’s hope chest.
Tom was a grandfather to 24 grandchildren in 23 great-grandchildren that he enjoyed when they visited.
A Rosary Service was held Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., and Mass of Christian Burial followed at 2:30 p.m. at Campbell-Cast Funeral Home 407 S. Pine St. Holden, MO.
Burial with full military honors will followed at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Holden, Mo. Pallbearers were: Joseph Hedglin, Chris Jowett, Pat Hedglin, Kevin Toole, William Hedglin, Cody Atkinson, Zachariah Toole and Timothy Toole.
Honorary Pallbearers were: Michael Hedglin, Nicholas Hedglin and Greg Carolton.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Campbell-Cast Funeral Home, a Stewart Family Funeral
Home and online condolences for the family may be left at castfuneralhome.com
