Thomas, or Tommy Joe as his family called him, was born January 12, 1961, to Barbara Ann and Thomas Joseph Jaskot, Jr. Tommy graduated in the class of 1979 from F.L. Schlagle High School. In 1988, Tommy joined the Plumbers Local #8 Apprenticeship Program and spent the duration of his career as a union plumber until he retired in 2020. During his career, he had the opportunity to work on several major Kansas City projects, including renovations at Kauffman Stadium and the construction of the Sprint Campus. He made many life-long friends throughout his career.
Tommy married the love of his life, Leslie, on September 6, 1991. With his marriage came two young girls, Amber and Rachel, who he welcomed into his life and his family, and lovingly raised without hesitation. Tom and Leslie spent their 35-year relationship at their home in Piper, where he spent his free time raising cows, chickens and pigs, outside mowing the lawn, or snow plowing the street for the “neighborhood” (probably wearing shorts and a Carhartt coat…maybe barefoot!).
Although Tommy had a “tough guy” exterior, those who really knew him knew that he was truly a teddy bear, and he loved his family and friends. He had a love for everything outdoors. Over the years, there were many camping trips with family, hunting with his nephews and buddies, and lots of fishing – especially opening day. On Friday nights in the summer, you could catch him with his grandson and his racing buddies at Lakeside Speedway. Tommy enjoyed spending time at the shooting range, perfecting his shot for his next hunting trip or trap competition. On Tuesdays, he could be found participating in a trap shooting competition at WyCo Fairgrounds. He became a heck of a shot with his new trap gun. Every Christmas and birthday, there was one item on his wish list: gift card to Cabela’s or Rogers Sporting Goods (we’d throw in a bag of cashews for good measure!). Tommy served as a committee member of the Wyandotte County Ducks Unlimited Chapter and donated many hours of his time to the organization.
Tommy is preceded in death by his mother and father, Barbara Jaskot and Thomas J. Jaskot, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Leslie (Brough) Jaskot, his daughters, Amber VanBeber and Rachel Rottinghaus (Pat Struzzo), three grandchildren – Hailey, Jakob and Reese, four sisters – Debra Nylund, Karen (Steven) McCarty, Kathryn (John) McCarty and Cheryl Clark (Cheri Jaskot), many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Serving as honorary pallbearers are Jakob Hoffman, Zachary Brough, Marc McCarty, Ryan McCarty, Tyler McCarty, Nicholas Cavlovic and Pat Struzzo.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making contributions to the Wyandotte County Ducks Unlimited Chapter in Tommy Joe’s honor.
