Thomas Toku  Hall

Thomas Toku Hall, 57, of Independence, MO passed away Sunday, December 31, 2017. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 6, 2018 at the Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO 64055. His family will greet friends from 6 to 8:00 p.m., Friday evening at the chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to his family in his memory. Tom was born April 28, 1960 in Okinawa, Japan to Cornelious and Motoko Hall. He was a teacher at Grandview High School for over 20 years, and previously was a professor at William Jewell College. His formal education included a bachelor’s of arts from William Jewell, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1982 and a master’s of arts in education from Avila University in 2005. In 1980, he met his wife while studying abroad at Seinan Gakuin University in Fukuoka, Japan. He enjoyed his wife's home cooking, martial arts, and listening to the oldies, and was a Star Trek and history enthusiast. He was Roman Catholic, and his patron saint was St. Francis of Assisi. He was a member of the Phi Sigma Iota and Pi Gamma Mu honor fraternities, and the NEA, MNEA, and Grandview MNEA for many years. Survivors include his adoring wife Mako Hall, his precious daughter Samantha Hall, his mother-in-law Mutsuko Miyahara, and his beloved pets Scout and Happy. Tom wishes for all of his loved ones to live long and prosper. Online condolences may be expressed to his family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600).