Thomas 'Tom' Lee Gilmore (57) was born September 12, 1959 in Kansas City, Missouri to the union of Jefro Gilmore and Ella Mae Gilmore. His mother preceded him in death in 2003 and his father in 2016. He was formally educated in the Kansas City Missouri School District. He attended and graduated from Paseo High School, home of the Pirates, in 1977. At Central High, Tom was a proud member of the ROTC, and enjoyed showcasing his fancy ROTC rifle drills at home and during local exhibitions. He received Christ at an early age as a member of the Immaculate Temple of God Nondenominational Church under the leadership of Bishop Judy Warren. Tom had natural God given gifts for singing and playing instruments. He was a member of the Gilmore Gospel Singers, holding down the smooth bass note in the family quartet. He was also a self-taught musician who played both the harmonica and the guitar. From an early age he used these gifts to serve Christ in church, and at the time of his death, Tom was a member of Greater St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church where he could be found playing the bass guitar. Tom spent a portion of his adult years living in Sacramento, California and relocated to Kansas City, Missouri in 1995. He held various employment throughout his life, and was also the co-owner and operator of Christian Brothers Cleaning Services, a building maintenance company, with his younger brother. In his spare time Tom loved cooking and eating wild game, and was affectionately known by his family as 'The Coon Dr.' for his ability to season a coon to perfection! Anyone who knew Tom knew his boisterous infectious laugh and his reputation for being a practical joker. Tom was quite the dresser, and in emulation of his father could be found sporting a stylish cowboy hat and a sharp pair of cowboy boots. Tom departed this life in his Kansas City home on September 11, 2017. He was preceded in death by both of his parents and his siblings Shirley Stephenson (2005) and Volean Gilmore (2008).He leaves to cherish his memory: thirteen brothers and sisters, Nettye Voker(Bert) of Phoenix, Arizona, Ruby Johnson, Theodore Allen, Jeff Gilmore (Thomisa), Bruce Gilmore, Sr. (Dorothy), David Smith of Atlanta, Georgia, Donald Gilmore, Sr. (Drina), Ronald Gilmore, Brian Jones, Lois Smith of Atlanta, Georgia, Tammy Dozier of Arlington, Texas, Darlene Davis, Christopher Gilmore, and Melonie Gilmore; twenty-seven nieces and nephews, and a host of other family members and friends.'The Coon Dr.' will be greatly missed. Funeral services Saturday, September 23, 11:00 a.m. at Greater St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church. Interment Blue Ridge Lawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the church.Services conducted by Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Condolences may be shared on our website.