Thomas J. Bartkoski

Thomas J. Bartkoski, 94, died Thursday, July 14, 2016, in Kansas City, Mo. He was born on June 19, 1922, near Nevada, Mo. His family moved to Kansas City, Ks, when he was a child. Tom graduated from Bishop Ward High School in 1941 and entered the Army in 1942. He was sent to the Philippines, then Okinawa, and saw battle in World War II. Tom served bravely until 1946 and earned the Bronze Star. After he returned from his service, he would join his brother, Raymond, in operating and building Ray's Delivery Service, Kansas City, Ks. He was a co-owner and driver with the company, eventually running it himself after his brother's passing. Tom retired after more than 40 years with Ray's. He loved his family and friends, and was generous in actions and spirit. He spent many decades as an active and loyal member of Queen of the Holy Rosary Church in Overland Park, Ks. Tom had a few hobbies, but enjoyed nothing more than fishing, his lifelong passion. Tom is preceded in death by his parents, John and Rose Bartkoski; his wife, Mary Bartkoski; brothers Raymond and Joseph Bartkoski, and sisters Mary Sheehan and Ann Wessling. Tom is survived by son Thomas W. Bartkoski and wife, Jadine of Chicago, Il; daughter Sharon Nicely and husband, Chris of Leawood, Ks; son David Bartkoski and wife, Bobbie of Shawnee, Ks; grandchildren Joseph, Kathleen and John Nicely, Shannon Bartkoski and Dustin Kerby; a sister, Pauline King, Fort Worth, Tx, and a brother, John Bartkoski, New Berlin, Wi.

Visitation will be at 9am on Tuesday, July 19, at Queen of the Holy Rosary Church, Overland Park, Ks, with a Funeral Mass to follow at 10am. Burial will be immediately after mass at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, Lenexa, Ks.

The family suggests memorial contributions to St Luke’s Hospice, Kansas City, Mo, or to John Paul II Catholic School, Overland Park, Ks.