John Thomas “Tommy” Ventola passed away peacefully September 9th at Center Point Medical Center in Independence Mo. Tommy is survived by three nieces, Christine, Catherine, and Nicole and one nephew Anthony and several cousins. Tommy was born March 31st 1945 to Tom and Louise (McCully) Ventola. Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Patrick J Ventola and Nicholas R Ventola.
Tommy liked to tinker with anything that made noise including black powder guns, homemade fireworks and especially carbide cannons. All young boys that met Tommy loved spending time with him and he always made an effort to show kids how to have fun safely.
He also loved Model T Fords and enjoyed giving rides to all the children in the town of Atlanta MO where he retired to after his career with the US Postal Service.
Tommy will be remembered as someone who loved people, always having an opinion on any subject and his fishing stories are legend. Tommy loved to fish in farm ponds, the Lake of the Ozark’s, Stockton Reservoir but most of all the White River near Eagle Rock Missouri. The sight of Tommy headed out of Atlanta Missouri driving his Model T truck loaded with fishing rods and wearing his pith helmet will be forever etched in those that saw him.
Tommy also had an unusual affection for 1950 Dodge cars which none of his friends understood but all accepted. Between the Bermuda bells, Ooga horn, wolf whistle and other noise makers everyone knew when Tommy was coming.
Per Tommy’s wished there will be no ceremony. The family wishes to extend a sincere thank you to Jan McCully, Tommy’s caretaker for the last several years and suggests contributions to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation in Tommy’s name. He will be forever remembered by all that knew him.
Arrangements: Royer’s New Salem, Independence MO 816-796-8600