Thomas Albert Starr, Sr. passed away peacefully following a stroke on December 16, 2025, at the age of 77. He was born in Cleveland, OH, on the 21st day of September 1948.  He joined the United States Marine Corp and proudly served his time in Kansas City, MO.  There he met his wife and love, Louise Schmeltz.  Together they shared 55 years of marriage building a legacy of faith and family on Jefferson Street.  His pride and joy he leaves behind are his eight children: Laura (Jason) Cruse, Theresa (Josh) Legato, Thomas (Anne) Starr, Sarah (Scott) Kiel, Julia (Asa) Johnson, Rebecca (Mike) Wohletz, Catherine (Dan) Lester, and his special guy Timothy Alexander.  He is the proudest Papa to 36 grandchildren and 5 great-grands, and an uncle to many nieces and nephews.  He was able to make each of us feel special and important leading all to believe they were his only and most favorite.

Tom attended the Ohio State University for two years prior to joining the Marines.  He completed his undergraduate and master's degrees at Rockhurst University taking night classes while working full time and providing for his family.

The first years of his career were spent at Thompson Hayward, and the Federal Reserve before spending 42 years at Yellow Freight in Accounts Receivable where he retired and also earned a President's Club award.

Tom's talents included the ability to fix anything broken especially home repairs and cars.  He was an accomplished marathon runner and triathlete, softball teammate, and coach.  He had a tremendous sense of humor and great laugh, and when his joke hit just right would repeat it while still laughing.

Tom's generosity knew no limits, and he dedicated many hours working to complete projects at his parish and the Franciscan Sisters of Christ the King convent.  He was an original member of the convent Mow Men crew who met weekly to care for the upkeep of the vast property grounds.

Things Tom did not care for included strong perfumes, red nail polish, being late, bad drivers, talking at length on the phone, chewing gum loudly "like a cow", and heavy eye makeup that looked like a racoon.

He is preceded in death by his father Tom Starr, mother Irene nee Bradley, and sisters Diane Parkinson and Betty DeVore.

The Rosary will be prayed at 2:00 p.m. followed by Visitation from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 21, at Passantino Bros. Funeral Home, 2117 Independence Blvd, KC MO. Family and Friends will gather on Monday, December 22, at St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, 3106 Flora Ave, KC MO where the Funeral Mass will begin at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery.  You are invited to wear a touch of red for Tom to the funeral honoring his Marines, Ohio State Buckeyes, KC Chiefs and stroke awareness.

In Lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made in Tom's memory to:  Franciscan Sisters of Christ the King, 1409 E Meyer Blvd, KC MO or St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church.