Tom graduated from East High School in Lincoln. From there he graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Studying History. While at the University, he became active in Outdoor Adventures where he received his certification in Wilderness First Response. Tom climbed numerous mountains and Ice waterfalls. Also, while he was at the University, he studied one year at the American University in Athens, where he participated in an Archeological dig. He joked that he was the one with the shovel, not the toothbrush.
After graduation, Tom worked for a season in Antarctica and after that, his travels took him across many countries until he met his parents in Hawaii.
The next summer, Tom took a 6-month unguided tour of India. There he washed elephants, took a safari amongst the tigers and spent some time consulting with a Dairy Coop.
Tom then graduated from the Monterey Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California, where he received his Master’s Degree in finance. During the two years he was at MIIS, he was also a river guide on the Colorado River and lived in Moab, UT. He had some interesting stories of those adventures.
After graduation, Tom joined the Peace Corps and spent time in Panama working with businesses setting up business plans for coffee growers.
Upon returning from Panama, he became employed by Pacific Gas and Electric working in finance focusing on renewable energy.
He moved to Lincoln in 2014 and spent the remainder of his life here, continuing his financial planning.
In the later years of his life, he was plagued by reoccurring depression and became very private except for a few close friends. He was close to his cousins Erin and her daughters Harper and Lennox, along with cousins Caleb and Jake Hanish. He will be missed by all.
Thomas is survived by his parents and sister, Katy.
He is preceded in death by grandparents Bill and Vera Kellogg, and Harold and Shirley Kuhn of Emerson, Nebraska.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at First Lutheran Church, 1551 S. 70th Street in Lincoln.
Memorials to Water.org, Matt Talbot, or Peoples City Mission.