The Doherty Family,

Tom was a legend to us kids at the time when he raced motocross back in the mid-seventies. He was sponsored by Roger Thompsons' Suburban Yamaha in Lee's Summit.
I remember being told of a race that he finished on a flat front tire but still managed to place high in the results.
Those are some great memories.

Sincerely,
Mark Hirt

John 3:16

~ Mark Hirt - March 7, 2017

So sorry for your loss. My heartfelt condolences to the family! Words cannot express the pain we feel when we lose those we love. My prayer is that you may find comfort through God's word, the Bible.(Isaiah 25:8) May you have peace during this time of great loss.

~ A. yonger - February 22, 2015

I knew Tom through Paola Christian Church. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

~ Paul & Linda (Truman) Trimiar - February 18, 2015

Dustin, Lacey, Grandaughter, Karen, Mike, Ron I was saddened when our mutual friend, Kent Murray, told me about Tom's passing. Although I don't have any personal stories of Tom, our friendship goes back all of our lives, beginning at the First Christian Church. He was always with a smile to share and a hand of friendship, support to give. Our Families were there all the time, for worship, and pot luck suppers. I guess that having a good solid start like that, I considered Tom and Family good friends through church, school, life. Tom was a good person, your Family is good people.
Rest in peace Tom, your hard work is done. You will be missed.
Peace to your Family.

Dale Duncan

~ Dale Duncan - February 9, 2015

I will never forget the time, Tom found me and 2 of my friends, and 7 combined children, at the lake on a Sunday afternoon picnic. He invited all of us to go out on his pontoon. Behind his pontoon, he showed the kids how to throw a rubber duck, that was tied to the boat, into the water. It was great until the rope wrapped around the propeller. Three times, Tom would jump into the lake, go under water, and untie the duck.Not once did he complain. Before the afternoon was over, the kids also discovered his cooler containing his lunch, and he proceeded to hand it out to them. Well, the food didn't last long with 7 kids. I said to him, "aren't you sorry you ever picked us up?" His reply was, " No, it was to quiet at home and I have more food at the house. What a beautiful day to share with the kids."
Tom was a godly man, who would share the shirt off his back. I will miss my friend, his singing, and the times he shared a bible verse or two, while I cut his hair.
The last day, I saw him, he told me, "don't be sad if I don't make it someday. Just have a party and remember me!" I will always remember you and your smile, and our class reunions will never be the same. Love you, Bud. May you rest in peace. Your painful journey is done and we will hear your wonderful songs from heaven!!

~ Marla McKoon-Dilliner - February 8, 2015

Our condolences go out to the Doherty family. It is truly a small world. Growing up with Tom and his brother's in 4th & Gold neighborhood, Brandt's and Doherty's lives crossed many times. Now the years spent with Tom and Ronnie in our Reno Rd neighborhood, our lives meshed together again. We will miss waving as he drove by the house each and every day.

~ Rusty and Rebecca Brandt - February 7, 2015

my name is Art Grote I had work with Tom many many times always made the job more pleasant he was always a happy guy but wouldn't put up with no crap from anyone I will truly miss him he was a true brother on worker

~ Art Grote - February 6, 2015

I have never met a man that was so caring and loved everyone no matter what. He could tell us some crazy stories and always had us laughing at everything. He always come by on the weekends my favorite memory of him is pulling up in the driveway and backing up 1st thing he would do is show me all the neat things he picked up at auctions and yard sales. Of course I always had to talk him out of something and he always gave me whatever thing I wanted. He would always sing also and made up his own lyrics to a song but it was the best. I will cherish his sweetness forever, hes more than a friend to us. RIP Uncle Tom until we meet again.

~ Robbie & Amy Nobles - February 6, 2015

This is hard to write and even harder to accept, but an honor and a duty to share just some of the fine things "Tommy D" was to me and so many others who had the privilege of knowing Tom. My friendship with Tom came about through motocross racing. This was a world and a community where Tom had a virtually endless number of friends and respect. Tom was five years older than I, and was an exceptional racer, rider, and most deep-down and importantly, a straight-up honest and righteous guy. Tom dug down deeper than anyone I know to find what it took to come out on top, or as close to that as was possible. He competed with everything he had and gave it his all. He rose to high levels, competing against the best, and did very well. In addition to being incredibly skilled, Tom was fearless - the many scars on his body were proof of that. Regarding our friendship, Tom had no need, purpose or anything to benefit from befriending me. He just was the kind of guy who was willing to share and mentor anyone who was working hard and trying to better themselves. From my first expert races to pro races following, Tom was always giving of his time, sharing ideas on how to compete, and more than anything, leading by example. I know of no one with more courage, stamina, ambition, drive and heart. If something wasn't right, Tommy would stand up for what was right, and that included standing up for the other guy. He would always offer complements and encouragement to me, which meant alot, coming from the fastest pro around. On a personal level, Tom was very insightful and reflective, typically around things that dealt with matters of how people should be treated, fairness and what was right and wrong. He was also always very upbeat and optimistic, and his sense of humor never failed him. Anytime he was dealt a hard blow, he would say something to the effect of "well, all I can do is get back up and do my best". To my loss, I didn't maintain our friendship as I moved very far away and quit racing after college. Thank you Tommy for all you gave me. May you rest in eternal peace.

~ Slade Putman - February 6, 2015

When we were children up on 4th street we all played ball on the empty lot behind their house had lot of fun growing up there.


Harold Brandt

~ Harold Brandt - February 6, 2015

I had the pleasure of working on several jobs with Tom over the years. For that oppurtunity I feel truly blessed. Tom was very dedicated and would teach to anyone willing to listen. RIP MY BROTHER.

~ Becky Thompson - February 6, 2015

Tom, White Cloud,Myself and many others building peaker at OZ good old days good job good people

~ Jimmy Carroll - February 5, 2015

When I first met Tom I was a second year apprentice. My Dad had just died and I was an emotional wreck. He was kind of an old school hard ass... Just what I needed. He treated me with the tough love that a kid like me needed. I learned a lot from him. He was one of those guys you couldn't help but look up to. I learned a lot from him and was a better person for knowing him. Rest in peace brother.

~ Danny Eastwood - February 5, 2015

I will never forget the times with Tom (Tommy, Tom Cat)-Spent many hours on Bull Creek and the surrounding woods and timber fishing and generally having a trek in nature enjoying the great outdoors with wreckless abandonment usually after playing a game of pool at Mrs. Wilson's store(She wouldn't let you play if didn't go to church on Sunday)-I will certainly miss his company on planet Earth! Kent Murray

~ Kent Murray - February 5, 2015

Church always played a part of my life when I lived in Paola. This part without Tom being there is something I know everyone will miss. I will remember the times that Tom gave to me during some difficult times in my life. Without Tom's generous strength and wisdom during that time I would probably not of survived. My dear friend will be missed by me as well as others that Tom had touched in his life. My prayers and thoughts will be with his family now and always. I am blessed to had Tom in my life at some point as brief as it was. I will miss knowing I won't be able to see Tom when I come home for a visit. God bless all.

~ Karen Seaborn-Wilks - February 5, 2015

We are going to miss our daily Tom visits. He was a great guy. Always there to lend a hand or go to lunch. Ohhh the stories he would tell us. Glad I got to spend time with him and really get to know who he was. He changed my outlook on somethings in life. Really wish I would have know that when we said goodbye on Thursday is for the last time. God speed. See you on the other side.

~ BILL LEACH - February 5, 2015

Tom, has been a great friend to our family & also our church family... he was a very private person.. about his illness.. and private about all the good things he did for people in our community.. he was so active in our church.. so many things in our church he played a huge part in.. he only had to be asked or see a need ,and he would be the first person there to help.. we have been shocked and sadden .. that he has left us.. but we know and trust the Lord has a special job waiting for him... good job dear friend you will be missed. prayers for your family & prayers for our church family as we deal with this loss.

~ RON/MELODY SMITH - February 5, 2015