Thomas Hellman

Thomas Hellman was born on July 31, 1943, and passed away on March 10, 2026. For 56 years he was the devoted husband of Kaye and the proud father of Lee (TL) Ryan, Mollie (Charley) Grant, Thomas (Chaney) Hellman, Amanda (Rob) Mans, and Adam Hellman. He was the cherished “Biggie” to his grandchildren Miles, Kathryn, George, Auggie, Bea, Lizzie, Maisie, Ike, and Althea, and a faithful friend to his dog Gibson.

Raised in St. Louis, Tom left his beloved dog Sandy to attend Campion High School in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, before returning home to earn both his undergraduate and law degrees from Saint Louis University. Though trained as an attorney, his true life was defined by his passions. A lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan, he eagerly awaited the arrival of pitchers and catchers each spring and passed that loyalty on to his children. He found deep contentment outdoors, whether sitting by a campfire, watching sunsets, or capturing them with his camera. Tom was rarely idle; he could often be found in his workshop wearing an old white undershirt and smelling of sawdust. He loved trains, Christmas, firetrucks, rhubarb pie, and his many dogs, whom he called his “good friends.” He played the banjo, and his children will always hear “Froggy Went A-Courtin’” and think of him. He considered grease a condiment and enjoyed a St. Louis Slinger whenever the opportunity arose. Above all, he was a super fan of his family, spending countless hours watching or coaching his children’s and grandchildren’s games, recitals, meets, and matches, and he never turned down an invitation to watch fireworks.

Unassuming and kind to everyone, Tom met life’s difficulties with quiet wisdom, gently reminding those around him that “this too shall pass.” He leaves behind a family who will carry his memory in every Cardinals game, every sunset, and every simple joy he taught them to cherish.