Thomas Tom Joseph Bash

Thomas J. Bash of Leawood, Kansas passed away on April 10, 2013 at the age of 72. He was born to the late Homer and Miriam Bash on September 21, 1940 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was lovingly adopted by Mary Somers Bash after the passing of Miriam when he was 12 years old.

Tom is survived by his wife Janet; his children Henry and Lily Bash, Suzanne Bash Fletcher, Andrew T. Bash and Sara Bash Reda; brothers Robert and John Bash and sister Sandra Snodgrass; seven grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews.

Tom attended the University of Illinois, where he majored in Insurance and Communications.

Tom started his career as an insurance agent with Mass Mutual in Indianapolis and shortly became the youngest general agent in the history of the company. He and his family moved to Kansas City in 1975 when he accepted the general agent position for Mutual Benefit Life. In 1982 Tom went to work for then Governor Kit Bond as an assistant to the governor. Tom returned to the Kansas City area and began a successful career in money and wealth management. He retired in 2004 from Eveans, Bash, Klein as a managing director.

Tom was devoted to Kansas City and many causes. He served as president of The Kansas City Philharmonic, president of the Trinity Lutheran Hospital Foundation, president of Rotary Club 13 and in a number of capacities with the Salvation Army. He also served as a member of the board of directors of The Barstow School. He was involved in countless other organizations throughout his lifetime.

Tom loved helping others and viewed all of his clients as friends. Tom never met a stranger and if he did it was not for very long.

The visitation will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church, 9101 Lamar, Overland Park, Kansas on Friday, April 12, 2013 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The funeral service will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church on April 13, 2013 at 10 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to The Salvation Army or Rotary Club 13 Youth Camp. Condolences for the family may be offered online at www.mcgilleystatelinechapel.com.