Thomas Andrew Kearns

Thomas Andrew Kearns was born in Manchester Connecticut to Lawrence and Josephine Kearns on September 2, 1928. The middle child of 7, his childhood was marked by the poverty of the Great Depression. His mother cared for the children and his father worked 2 jobs. In his youth, summers were spent in the tobacco and strawberry fields, waiting for school to begin to play baseball. It was a great relief, when his Dad got a job in a munitions factory, as the US entered WWII. Tommy could not wait to enlist and with approval from his parents, joined the Navy in 1945 at 17. He always said a treaty was sighed when Japan learned he had enlisted. While stationed in Port Hueneme, he hitched a ride to Santa Barbara. At the roller skating rink during “ladies choice”, he met Margie. This meeting would define his life, 75 years of married life. Following his discharge in 1949, he got a job at Meyer’s Finer Foods on State Street and fell in love with Nita Kay and Kathleen, the loves of his life after Margie. He loved being a father and life centered around family meals, favorite tv shows, road trips, holidays, game night. He was so proud of his family, always. When his grand daughter, Natalie came along, and later husband Beau and 3 great grand children, Isla, Finn and Pearl, Tom was beyond ecstatic. He loved being active and he loved interacting with people. He always had something to say, friendly to others, engaging, funny, joking, singing, laughing. He was singing the last week of his life. And holding hands with Margie and calling for his girls. He died October 13 in his family home of 63 years. He said he was going to heaven. Hopefully “before the devil knew he was dead”, one of his favorite quotes.

Services to be held at Goleta Cemetery Friday November 17th at 10 am.