Tom L. Hand

After graduating from Herington High School in 1959, Tom served four years in the U.S. Navy. He graduated from the School of Banking at the Univ. of Wisconsin and the Commercial/Consumer Banking School at the Univ. of Nebraska. Tom started his 35 year banking career with Universal C.I.T. in Junction City, KS. He then moved to Kansas City in 1968 to join Laurel Bank that later merged with American Bank. His career took him next to Mazuma Credit Union from which he retired in 2003. He had several banking affiliations during his career including the American Institute of Banking, American Bankers Assoc., and NACM.

During retirement he studied in the extension unit at the Univ. of Missouri and earned a Master Gardener’s Certification. He was an active volunteer of the Master Gardeners fundraising projects including its plant sales and garden tours and projects at the Wornall House, Loose Park, Harvesters Community Garden, and the Hosta Society of greater KC.

He married his longtime friend, Barbara, in 1995 and they enjoyed many vacation Caribbean resorts and long distance road trips to visit friends. They also enjoyed gardening, dining at new restaurants, and hosting the best dinner parties with close friends.

Tom supported many local organizations including the Kansas City Symphony, the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum, KCPT, and the KC Blood Bank. He held two honorary positions that he cherished with pride, chairman of Twin City Tavern Boys at the bar and Mayor of the neighborhood garden on Wyoming Street.

Tom is survived by his wife, Barbara; two daughters from a previous marriage, Laura Hand, of Independence and Tracy Bridges of Warrensburg; grandchildren, Jaime Lingholm, Matthew Bridges, Jason Bridges, Debbie Hamilton, Jacqueline Williams, Christopher Williams; great-grandchildren Lilly Bridges, Abby Bridges, Charlotte Bridges, Blakely Bridges, Autumn Lingholm, Daniel Lingholm, Tanyell Williams, Tatyana Washington, NaDaza Williams, Jakia Gibson, Brent Blackman, Dystania Hamilton, Donzell Hamilton, Niza Hamilton; great-great-granddaughter, Aisha Drew; and his cairn terrier, Bailey. Private funeral services at a later date.