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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Thomas
Villa
January 24, 1949 – June 27, 2024
On June 27th , 2024, Thomas "Tom" Timothy Villa, beloved dad, daddy, grandpa, papa, tio, nino, compa and veijo went to be with the Lord for all of eternity. Tom passed into the Lord's arms surrounded by his loving family.
Born to Paul and Frances Villa in Santa Barbara on January 24, 1949, Tom lived most of his life
in his beloved Carpinteria. A big part of his childhood was spent with his family managing
lemon ranches in Carpinteria. Many of Tom's formative years were spent with his parents,
brothers and sisters, along with cousins and extended family who visited frequently, enjoying all
that the ranch life had to offer.
Tom attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic school from kindergarten through eighth
grade before attending Carpinteria High School. Tom played football and baseball during high
school, earning the nickname "mosquito" because he was small, fast and pesky on the field.
Tom graduated from Carpinteria High School in 1967 and was offered a baseball scholarship to
Cal Poly, but he chose to serve in the United States Army as a way to help provide for his
parents and siblings.
Tom deployed to Vietnam in 1968, serving for nearly a year until he became ill and was
transferred to a hospital in Japan before coming home to the United States. Tom met his wife,
Tonie, when they were both stationed at Fort Ord. They were married on July 4, 1970 at St.
Joseph's Catholic Church in Carpinteria.
Tom left active duty after three years and worked as a groundskeeper at Carpinteria Unified
School District for ten years. He was very proud of his country and had a desire to serve,
eventually returning to the military as a member of the United States Army Reserve in Santa
Barbara, serving full time for more than twenty years before retiring. Tom was incredibly proud
to serve his country and could be seen wearing his Vietnam veteran hat until the day he passed
away. Following his service in the United States Army, Tom worked for another twenty years at
the United States Post Office in Goleta before retiring for good in 2012.
Throughout his life, Tom was known for employing a fair amount of sarcastic humor. He could
be counted on for telling tall tales and embellishing just a bit during his story telling, but his
easy-going and joking nature were what endeared many to Tom. Sports were always a big part
of his life, giving him years of enjoyment. Besides playing football and baseball, he loved
watching his three children participate in sports. Tom rarely missed his children's sporting
events over the years and he drew great joy attending many of his grandchildren's sporting
events later in his life.
Family meant everything to Tom, and he is survived by his ex-wife and mother to his children, Tonie Villa of Ventura; children, Thomas "Tommy" Villa of Ventura, Robert (Roddie) Villa of Somis, and Kaylee (Eric) Tennessen of Camarillo; eight grandchildren Jackson, Hudson, Emerson and Garrison Villa and Tyler, Bradley, Mollie and Jacob Tennessen. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Frances Villa, brothers Paul, Albert, Peter and Joseph Villa and sister, Rita Villa.
Services will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Carpinteria. Rosary will be recited on
Tuesday, July 9 at 7 PM. Funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, July 10 at 10 AM, followed
by interment at Carpinteria Cemetery.
Funeral Arrangements Entrusted To Pueblo Del Rey Funeral Services
Funeral Mass
St Joseph Catholic Church
10:00 - 11:00 am
Interment
Carpinteria Cemetery District
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
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