Thomas Brillhart Schukai

Thomas Brillhart Schukai, 19, passed away October 21, 2015 in Overland Park, KS. He was born February 1, 1996 in Merriam, and graduated from Olathe East High School in 2014. After high school he was accepted to New York University where he studied for a year, and then transferred to the University of Kansas in Lawrence for his sophomore year to study Anthropology and Pre-medicine.

Thomas excelled as a student from grade school through high school, where he graduated with many accolades including Kansas Scholar, National Honor Society, and Spanish National Honor Society. He was a very gifted artist, and had a remarkable ability for foreign language as well, taking classes and teaching himself several languages including Spanish, French, Chinese, and Thai. He also excelled at math, science, and music. He was a gifted pianist and loved classical music most of all. He performed hundreds of hours of community service, and especially loved tutoring both the young and old in language. He spent a good part of his summer before college teaching a young family from Thailand to speak English. He was a member of Boy Scout Troop 425 in Overland Park and attained the rank of Life and position of Senior Patrol Leader, and was elected by his peers to the Order of the Arrow and Tribe of the Mic-o-say honor camping societies. He completed two treks with his troop to Philmont Scout Ranch. Thomas loved travel and enjoyed family trips all over the country, and internationally to Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean.

Thomas is survived by his parents David and Katherine (Brillhart) Schukai of Overland Park; two younger sisters, Emily and Allison, and younger brother Jonathan of the home. He also leaves his maternal grandmother, Nancy Brillhart of Mission, KS; paternal grandparents, Robert and Nancy Schukai of St. Louis, MO; aunts Christine (Brillhart) Simpson, Johanna (Schukai) Schloss, and Jennifer (Schukai) Fletcher; uncles Michael Brillhart and Robert Schukai, Jr; cousins Alicia Simpson, Jackson Schukai, Hallie Schukai, William Schloss, Jack Fletcher, Matthew Fletcher, and David Fletcher.

Funeral services are being handled by McGilley & Hoge in Overland Park, KS, (913) 642-3565. There will be a visitation on Friday, October 23rd from 5-7:30pm at McGilley State Line Chapel, located at 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO. Funeral mass on Saturday, October 24th at 10am at Church of the Ascension Catholic Church, 9510 W. 127th Street, in Overland Park, with burial to follow at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to KidsTLC of Olathe, KS or the Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Center near you. Online condolences may be left at www.mcgilleyhoge.com. Arr: McGilley & Hoge, 8024 Santa Fe Dr, Overland Park, KS 66204.