Thomas Patrick O’Reilly, Sr., age 74, of Peculiar, received eternal life Thursday, April 9, 2020 at The University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.
Tom was born in Kansas City, Missouri, August 7, 1945. He is the son of the late Michael Byrne O’Reilly and Lucille Regina O’Reilly (McClernon). He was baptized into the Roman Catholic faith at St. Augustine Parish. Tom graduated from Southwest High School in 1963 and then served in the Air Force. Tom married the love of his life, Susan Downey, on October 26, 1968 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Kansas City, Missouri. Together, Tom and Susan created a family filled with faith, hope and love.
Tom worked in the construction trade early on, and spent three years in Dodge City, Kansas, building homes. He spent most of his career as Director of Buildings and Grounds with the Raymore-Peculiar and Pleasant Hill school districts. He was extremely proud to facilitate the building of the current Raymore-Peculiar High School, Stonegate Elementary, Timber Creek Elementary, and Panther Stadium. At Pleasant Hill, Tom also facilitated the building of Pleasant Hill Intermediate School. During this time, he served as the President of the National Plant Managers Association.
Tom was steadfast in his faith and served the Lord. He was raised in St. Augustine Parish, and brought his children up in faith through St. Elizabeth Parish and Our Lady of Lourdes in Harrisonville, where he was Past-President of the Parish Council and served as an Eucharistic Minister. Tom and Susan were involved in Worldwide Marriage Encounter as well as Marriage and Baptism preparation. He was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Padraig Pearce Division of The Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Tom was also an Honorary Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Tom celebrated his Irish heritage in every facet of his life, and he never knew a stranger. He always made time for people. His servant heart was manifested in many ways and he instilled this in his family. Tom was charitable with both his time and money, and no matter the situation, he was a devout supporter of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and his Church.
Tom taught his family the value of hard work, grace, respect and forgiveness. He taught his children to eat before you drink, keep your elbows off the table, never throw food away and to ‘LEE-RAX.’ His children were taught to appreciate wearing collared shirts, asking to be excused from the table and attending to proper pool etiquette. Sunday breakfast was a time for biscuits and gravy in his Sunday white chef outfit. His favorite past times were fishing with his boys, riding his John Deere, tinkering in the garage, taking care of his pool, watching his hummingbirds and enjoying his dogs. Tom attended the Kansas City Irish Festival since its inception, celebrating his Irish heritage with multiple family and friends. Tom also took pride in volunteering with the Padraig Pearce Division of The Ancient Order of Hibernians and supporting his grandchildren at the festival. In addition, he loved attending the many activities of his children and grandchildren.
Tom is preceded in death by his brother Dennis, parents and daughter Colleen. Tom is survived by his ‘girlfriend’ (wife) of (52 years) Susan of the home. Older brother Mike O’Reilly of San Jose, California; Sister-n-law Ann Abeel, El Paso, Texas. Children Pat O’Reilly, (Ginger) Thomas; Bridget Cantrell (Brady) Madeline and Braden; Molly Jonas, (Jason), Aidan, Jonathan, Matthew; Michael O’Reilly, (Laurie), Mary, Colleen, Ann; Dennis O’Reilly, (Jennifer), Mitchell, Kevin; Daniel O’Reilly, (Jeannie), Caytlin; Kevin O’Reilly, Aaron O’Reilly, (Taylor); Nephews Mike O’Reilly (Jamie) and family (California); Ryan O’Reilly (Caroline), of Colorado; Christine Abeel, (Lauren) and family (Texas); Mike Abeel and family (Texas), Joe Abeel, (Liza) and family (Texas).
Rosary will be livestreamed Wednesday on the evening at 7 PM on Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church facebook page. Private family Mass of Christian Burial will be livestreamed Thursday, April 16 at 11 AM, also on Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church facebook page. Burial immediately following at Orient Cemetery. Due to the current Pandemic, there will be a memorial mass at a later date to celebrate Tom. In the meantime, since we all can’t be together to share memories, please share memories and stories to [email protected]
In lieu of flowers, a Memorial Fund has been established with St. Jude’s Hospital - Thomas O’Reilly St. Jude Hospital Memorial.
