On June 27, 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 Jan. 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 in California. 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 10 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 20 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 U.S. Army, Tom worked for another 20 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 storytelling, but his easy-going and joking nature were what endeared him to many.
Sports were always a big part of Tom’s 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, California, and Kaylee (Eric) Tennessen of Camarillo, California; 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 at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 9. Funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 10, followed by interment at Carpinteria Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Pueblo Del Rey Funeral Services.