Tommy Soto, CPA, son, brother, musician and friend; a talented and loving soul, passed away Monday, Jan. 9, 2023 at the age of 27, following a four-year battle with a rare form of cancer (metastatic myxoid liposarcoma).
Tommy and his girlfriend of seven years, Maddy Hahn, shared big plans for their future, and together faced the daunting diagnosis and treatment.
Tommy was born on Dec. 31, 1995 in Santa Barbara to Edward and Sarah Soto, and is the older brother to Michael Soto.
Raised in Santa Barbara, Tommy earned the rank of Eagle Scout (BSA Troop 4) while attending local schools, including Kellogg Elementary, Goleta Valley Junior High, and Dos Pueblos High.
He graduated with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Tommy was also a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity.
After graduation, Tommy quickly earned his CPA license and had just begun his career having been a senior in audit services and recently transferring to advisory services with Ernst & Young.
Tommy played in the drumline, marching band, and jazz band at each of his schools. He was a member of the local band The Framers, and often played gigs with Mercy & the Unforgiven.
His extensive drumming credentials enabled him to tour the country twice competing nationally in Drum Corps International with the Arizona-based Academy, and briefly launched a small business known as Corps Essentials.
Tommy loved travel and looked forward to exploring the world.
Those who know Tommy, remember his passion for drumming, his gift for leadership, his enthusiasm for basketball, and his newly found love of Formula 1 racing.
To his brother, Tommy was the kindest, most steadfast person who always had your back, no matter what. He knew how to make even the darkest of moments feel just a bit brighter.
Tommy made sure to live his life to the absolute fullest and nothing ever got in his way, not even the cancer.
Tommy was an amazing friend and drew people to himself through his genuine smile and straight-forward, fun-loving personality.
While he battled cancer for nearly four years, due to his strength, courage, and stoic heart, very few knew the extent of his health struggles.
While his days were fewer than expected, his accomplishments exceeded his years.
His physical presence will be greatly missed, but he is truly not gone, simply with us in a different way. Tommy is now carried closely in each of our hearts. We are in fact all better for having Tommy in our lives.
We invite you to share stories of Tommy on the McDermott-Crockett remembrance page: www.mcdermottcrockett.com.
In lieu of flowers, a scholarship has been created in Tommy’s name. Please donate to The Santa Barbara Scholarship Foundation, https://sfsb.ejoinme.org/MyPages/DonationPage/tabid/221420/Default.aspx. Please be sure to include Tommy’s name.
Funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 19 at San Roque Catholic Church, 325 Argonne Circle, Santa Barbara, with internment immediately following at Santa Barbara Cemetery, 901 Channel Drive, Santa Barbara.
A Celebration of life will take place 6-10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20 at Old Town Coffee, 5877 Hollister Ave., Goleta.