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BORN
1982
DIED
2022
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Thomas McDermott Obituary
November 16, 2022
Arroyo Grande, California - Our beloved Tom passed away in the evening Wednesday, November 16 at French Hospital in San Luis Obispo, California, eight months after learning he had stage IV melanoma. Tom-positive, brave, and always hopeful-endured until the end.
While many have lost loved ones to cancer at a young age, Tom's passing is especially acute for his friends and family; our hearts are left with a permanent Tom-sized hole.
Tom was born on a lightning-filled night at French Hospital. He grew up on a cattle and horse ranch east of Lopez Lake, spent his junior and high school years in Kingman, AZ, and moved back to San Luis Obispo county to finish his final year of high school and earn his Bachelors Degree in Business. Tom worked at Blakeslee & Blakeslee in San Luis Obispo.
He met Jeannie Vaughan, the love of his life, in 2001 in San Luis Obispo. They were married in May of 2008 and have three kids.
Tom was the best guy. His family, friends, coworkers, and acquaintances knew him as a kind, genuine, supportive, funny, and compassionate human. He was the best dad, brother, son, cousin, nephew, and friend. He is dearly missed.
He is survived by his wife Jeanne; their three kids Elaine, Heston, and Mason; parents Pamela and Michael McDermott; older brother Matt and his wife Christine; brother Joe, his wife Valerie, and their two kids Ruby and Rocky; and younger sister Katherine. He leaves aunts, uncles, and cousins. His friends from high school, work, and life miss him.
Friends may visit Tom's celebration of life on Saturday, December tenth, from 1 pm to 4 pm, at the Women's Club Community Center, 211 Vernon St in Arroyo Grande.
Donations to support Tom's family can be made to GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/3584eede.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas McDermott
Paulette Douglas
December 29, 2022
I knew Thomas through Blakeslee and Blakeslee. He was such a wonderful person! He was friendly in the most personal way, genuinely interested in people as human beings, not just "clients." He was jovial, personable, and funny, He was also extremely skilled at his job, one who clarified and explained even the most seemingly obvious things to me, never making me feel as though I "should" have known! I have an appointment at his firm later today, and was so looking forward to seeing him again. I am so shocked and saddened by his very untimely passing.
David Ford
December 20, 2022
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Claire Vollmer
December 9, 2022
I was not fortunate to have known Tom, Jeanne and their kids but went to school with his Dad, Mike and his uncle, Mark and have always known the McDermotts were special. They work hard, love hard and are likely the best friends you'll ever have...
Wrapping my arms around all of you and hoping many wonderful memories will help carry you through the difficult days ahead.
Steve Armas
December 2, 2022
Tommy was a fun co-worker and a great friend, he had a huge heart and could fill a room with just a smile! You couldn´t ask for a better man, he is greatly missed. Vaya con Dios, mi compadre!
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Marc & Patti Frey
November 30, 2022
We are sad to hear this news. We always found Tom to be such a help whenever we called the office. Always smiling, always pleasant, a servant´s heart. There are no words.
Terri..... TJs
November 28, 2022
What is the saying...´only the good die young´! No other words can justify his passing. He was a truly good human.
I worked with him for a couple of years at Trader joes and always loved his sense of humor and good nature.
His love of animals was endearing and the family was always trying to save a stray of some kind. That alone stole a piece of my heart. Learning from him when I started at TJs was easy. He was patient, kind and communicated very well as to what the task was and how to do it properly. He took pride in his work and it was contagious. Many of us just called him T-Mack.
Jeanne and the kids are so lucky to have had such a great man in their lives, even though, sadly, their time together was cut short,
and I pray that time eases the pain of your loss. Hugs to all
Jody Daniels
November 27, 2022
There was no one like him.
If ever God said, "I will make the most honorable, faithful and dedicated man...the humblest of a soul I can possibly create", Tom was that man.
Whether husband, father or business professional, he always put forth his best - the embodiment of true work ethic. Tom was my colleague, my office partner who taught me the ins & outs of the financial world. Our conversations ran deep in the years we worked together. Always quick with wit, he would crack the best jokes to break office tension, often finding humorous subject matter in the various people walking outside our office window. Our shared love of music was never waning...we played the best music at our desks, bonding over the same eclectic styles of song. Memories...
His diagnosis was devastating. His loss is insurmountable. I will miss him.
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Wheeler Smith Mortuary - San Luis Obispo2890 S. Higuera, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
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