Thomas B. Wallis

1960 - 2017

Thomas Barry Wallis Sr., 57, St. Peters, lost his short, but courageous battle with cancer Saturday, April 1, 2017.

Tom was born March 6, 1960, the son of Paul and Janet Wallis.

He is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Sheri Reeder Wallis; two daughters, Marissa Rene Joplin and Deanna Marie Wallis; son, Thomas Barry Wallis II; and granddaughter, Melody Rene Joplin. He was deeply loved by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, David and Donna Reeder; siblings by marriage, Connie (Trey) Broussard, Brenda (Kevin) Higginbotham, Susan (John) Keilholz and Alan (Kristi) Reeder; five nieces, Alicia, Deiadra, Kayla, Sarah and Natalie; five nephews, Zachary, Brett, Devin, Tyler and Colston; and many great-nieces and -nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Janet Wallis and Paul Wallis, and his brother, Frank Wallis.

He was a devoted and loving family man. Tom loved his wife and children very much and loved to spend time with them inside and outside the home. He cherished his granddaughter and loved to take her to Chuck E. Cheese and to get snow cones!

Tom achieved his bachelor's degree from Radford University and his master's degree from Lindenwood University. He was dedicated to his passion of teaching and truly believed he was called to be a teacher and to make a difference. Tom sincerely cared for his students and loved to find ways to make learning fun. He was a teacher at Hazelwood West Middle School, where he was employed for many years. Tom also touched the lives of many students during the years he taught at Confluence Academy, St. Louis; Black Hawk Middle School, Warrenton; and in Mississippi, the Gulfport and Harrison County school districts. The relationship between Tom and his students was unique and special. They were respected, inspired and adored by him.

Tom also enjoyed coaching and coached all of his children in various sports. He coached in the schools and was most recently the boys and girls basketball coach at Hazelwood West Middle School. When Tom was not coaching a school sport, he was on the sidelines cheering for students at their games and events.

In his free time, Tom was a car enthusiast and loved working on cars and attending car shows. He also loved sports and enjoyed watching them on TV and attending games in person.

Tom was a big kid at heart and well known for being kind, funny, loving and goofy. He had a larger than life personality and was always entertaining with his silly personality. Tom loved being a comedian and always looked for ways to put a smile on your face. He was not only very generous in life, but also after. Tom had hoped to be an organ donor, but due to the cancer he was not able. So Tom asked that his body be donated to science, in hopes of helping to find a cure for kidney cancer and to allow students to learn from him.

A celebration of life and memorial service were held at First Baptist Church, St. Charles, Friday, April 7, at 6 p.m. Visitation was held prior to the service from 5 to 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers that donations be made to cancer research organizations.