Thomas Emmett "Tom" Kearney, Jr.

Thomas Emmett Kearney, Jr. January 6, 1950 - July 4, 2021Tom was born in Oklahoma City, the elder son of Thomas Emmett Kearney and Mary Helen (Berney). The family moved to Hanford, Calif., in 1957 and established a permanent home in San Jose, Calif., in 1961. Tom attended Zachary Taylor and Bishop John Carroll schools in Oklahoma City and graduated from Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose before attending San Jose State University for two years. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, where he excelled academically as an English major, earning top honors in a class of hundreds for his sonnet in the Shakespearean style. In Tom's early years, the family made many road trips back to Oklahoma City to visit beloved grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. During those journeys along Route 66, Tom developed an abiding love of cars and the open road. He especially cherished his 1998 Buick LeSabre, whom he called "Gladys." In the San Francisco Bay Area, Tom worked in sales for several successful technology companies. He married Cynthia Privett in 1988 and had three children, whom he cherished and loved introducing to the simple wonders of life he enjoyed so much. He encouraged his children to embrace the "discovery" process, which he called "gorgeous," and explore the complexity of the human spirit through music, poetry, literature, film, history, and more. A talented woodworker, Tom built a much-loved swing set for his children, as well as a raised planter bed, where he grew herbs and vegetables he would use in his favorite recipes of simple Italian dishes ("Always double the garlic in any recipe," he would advise). He savored the flavors of all varieties of food, squinting his eyes in deep and thoughtful appreciation of each mouthful. His family would tease him about his odd habit, but now seek to carry it on as a reminder to appreciate the simplest gifts of life. Tom's innate curiosity and profound connection with the natural world inspired him to take his children on bike rides through the California redwoods and along the coast, forest and waterfall hikes, boogie-boarding excursions, and taco-tasting expeditions. A devoted father with a playful spirit, he would ride the "Giant Dipper" roller coaster in Santa Cruz, Calif., as many times as his children asked. He loved sports and never missed one of their volleyball, baseball, or softball games. He also instilled in his children his deep and broad sense of humor, whether silly, ironic, sarcastic, or satirical. In 2018, he returned to Oklahoma City to live, trading the Pacific ocean and redwoods for another place he loved, the prairie. He continued to pursue his many interests and rediscovered a love of Oklahoma thunderstorms, freight train whistles, OU football, the history of Oklahoma, and wide open spaces, as well as a new love of bird-watching. He delved even deeper into his research on WWII, especially the war in the Pacific, where his father served. He loved listening to, and identifying, the jets and planes flying overhead from Tinker Air Force Base.Few people could talk more at length about a wider variety of topics than Tom. Infuriatingly stubborn, yet impossibly endearing, Tom enjoyed lively debate with anyone willing to step into the ring at their own peril. Upon leaving, they seldom knew what had hit them. In his daily writings, gentle musings on storms and bird migrations could give way to observations on sports, politics, history, or culture — from Brahms to baseball — and back again. He was a man who truly "contained multitudes." Tom died peacefully on his second favorite holiday (after Christmas) with his children and sister at his bedside, and his wider family lovingly near. The family lit fireworks that night, knowing he would have loved it and thought it fitting to help us "get on down the road." He is survived by his children, Megan Dent and husband Michael of London, UK; Kevin and wife Mary Jane, and Hannah, of Redwood City, Calif.; sister Anne of Oklahoma City; brother Peter and wife Margo of San Jose, Calif.; former wife Cynthia of Los Gatos, Calif.; and 13 cousins. He will be missed by his two grandsons, Teddy and Thomas, and a third expected in September. Tom is also lovingly remembered by his aunt, Pat Kearney. May he rest in peace in the eternal beauty he always found in the world and that surpasses all understanding. Private services were held.