Tom was committed to Hope Care Center in many ways for many years… Fundraiser, Volunteer, Supporter, and Member of our Board of Directors

This says it all: Eight of Doty's co-workers at Warehouse1 in Kansas City traveled on icy roads the day after a snowstorm to Beatrice, Neb., for his funeral, which his family preferred to think of as a celebration of Tom's life.

“They were so nice and said such beautiful things,” said his mother, Norma Doty, of Beatrice. “I had not met these people before.”

Tom Doty was a manager at Warehouse1, a designer of custom storage systems for manufacturers and distributors. He was the kind of person who would take younger people under his wing and help them learn the business, said Steve Schulte, the company's chief financial officer.

“He was always fair in his dealings with people, and I think people respected that about Tom,” Schulte said.

Dennis Delantonas, the company controller, said Doty hated titles and preferred to think of everyone as part of the team.

“He helped me grow in the company and we became peers,” Delantonas said. “He is going to leave a very large hole.”

The “rock of the family:”

Norma Doty recalled that her son was inquisitive as a child and was a member of the National Honor Society in high school in Clarinda, Iowa, where he graduated in 1966. He later graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

He played the cornet in school, and that contributed to a lifelong love of music, from classical to jazz and even some country.

Tom was close to his only sibling, Deborah, and was with her when she died eight years ago. Having never married and with no children of his own, he poured affection on his nieces, Jennifer and Sandra.

“All of their lives he made them feel very important,” Norma Doty said. “When they were in high school he would help them with clothes and gifts and cash. He never missed important events.”

Tom also traveled to California to help an aunt, Irene Diener, move to Nebraska after her husband died.

Working with his hands:

Tom's late father, LaVere Doty, worked in construction, and Tom worked with him for many years. He grew to love refinishing and collecting antiques. He had a lumberyard in Tecumseh, Neb.

After moving to Kansas City, Doty worked for about a dozen years for Sutherland Lumber Co. When those stores were sold, Tom went to work for Warehouse1.

An inspiration to others:

Doty was a local leader in the Landmark Education organization, a program that encourages people to make the most of their lives. Through that connection he met Devon Plumberg, who became a trusted friend.

“He really loved people and it was very important that his life made a difference for people around him,” Plumberg said, adding that Doty also was humble and private.

Doty was vice president of the board of the Hope Care Center, a residential facility in Kansas City for people with HIV.

“He was probably the most dynamic, giving, caring soul I have met in a long time,” said Jan Russell, president of the Hope Care Center board. “We always have a waiting list. We've been trying really hard to grow, and he (Doty) has been in the forefront of that vision.”

Russell added that Doty frequently dropped in to visit with center residents.

“They all knew him really well,” she said.

Survivors include: His mother, nieces and their families.

His legacy:“His legacy is one of caring,” said Norma Doty. “That's why we called it a celebration of life because his life touched so many people.”

Kansas City memorial: “A Toast to Tom” is set for 4-8 p.m. Jan. 23 at Rockhill Tennis Club, 4520 Kenwood Ave.