Thomas E. Morehead

Thomas E. Morehead obituary, Oak Grove, MO

Thomas E. Morehead

Thomas Morehead Obituary

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Royer Funeral Home - Grain Valley on Sep. 2, 2025.

Publish in a newspaper

Thomas Evans Morehead, 70, of Blue Springs, Mo., died Saturday, August 30, 2025, after an eight-year battle with Antisynthetase syndrome, an uncurable autoimmune disorder. He passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family.
Born in Trenton, Mo., to the late John and Jacqueline (Evans) Morehead, Tom was the second of six children. Raised in Liberty, Mo. and Warrensburg, Mo., Tom was a graduate of Warrensburg High School. He married Melissa Phillips in 1981, and they had two daughters together.
Tom was a successful Master Electrician, who with grit and determination built a business that endured for more than 50 years. While he rarely rested, Tom enjoyed fishing on Truman Lake and hunting with family and friends in northern Missouri. For decades, you could find Tom and Melissa every evening at the farm they owned, tending to livestock, doing chores, and keeping an eye on the birds, deer, and passing mountain lion that called it home. In the days before he died, he said the evenings they spent there together, talking and watching the sun set, was what he would miss the most.
Tom is survived by his wife, Melissa; daughters, Ashley Erickson (Nicholas) of Austin, Texas, and Lindsey Warren (John-Kelly) of Tulsa, Okla.; grandchildren, Finnegan and Rhys Erickson and Sloane and Whitaker Warren; and siblings, Kelly Morehead (Laura), Jim Morehead (Michelle), Tim Morehead, Carol Jenkins (Richard) and David Morehead.
Tom's family would like to acknowledge the years-long dedication of his physicians, specifically hepatologist Dr. Laura Alba, pulmonologist Dr. Andrew Schlachter, cardiologist Dr. Matthew Deedy, and rheumatologist Dr. Julian Magadan III whose wise counsel helped turn a three-month prognosis into more than eight years. With this extra time, he was able to meet his youngest grandchildren and have his forty-fourth wedding anniversary. Per Tom's wishes, no services will be held, as "Dead people don't give a damn."
Obituary submitted by family
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home Grain Valley, MO 64075 816-847-4441

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

How to support Thomas's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Thomas Morehead's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more

Sign Thomas Morehead's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?