Tom graduated from Nevada High School in 1974 and was voted most friendly his senior year, having carried this trait throughout his entire life. Shortly after high school, Tom went to work for Dahmer Electric as an electrician, a trade he was proud of and loved sharing the trade with family and friends by helping with projects. Tom went to work at 3M in Nevada, Missouri in 1983, having retired in 2015.
When his health allowed, Tom enjoyed spending his spare time golfing, hunting, and providing a helping hand to anyone who needed it. When his health declined, Tom enjoyed spending each day covering nearly every square mile of Vernon County in one of his trucks, with hopes of running into one of his many friends along the way. Tom was a die-hard Kansas City Chiefs fan, having held season tickets for a number of years with his brother-in-law. Those within Tom's neighborhood might suggest he and his son, Shane, often helped Andy Reid coach from afar. His greatest joy in life was spending time with family, with his granddaughter Fisher Cate being the center of his world. 'Papa' Tom only had one rule and that was Fisher Cate could be as ornery as her little heart desired with no consequences to follow.
Tom is survived by son, Shane Hirschman (Blair), Nevada, MO; and daughter Hope Gosse (Tony), Lee's Summit, MO; three grandchildren, Fisher Cate Hirschman, Anderson Visconti, Tessa Visconti; four siblings and their families, Randy Hirschman (Patty), Imperial, MO; Brenda Shumaker (Raymond), Nevada, MO; Kay Stevens (Larry) Edmond, OK; and Lana Hillier (Larry) Raymore, MO; sister-in-law Margie Wolf (Vic) Nevada, MO; brother-in-law Richard Schuster (Laura) Nevada, MO; brother-in-law Wayne Schuster (Debra) Walker, MO; sister-in-law Katie Sanderson (Larry) Nevada, MO; sister-in-law Patty Stober (Dale) Alva, FL; sister-in-law Vickie McKinley, Moorpark, CA; and sister-in-law Lisa Daniels (Keith) Neosho, MO; and numerous nieces and nephews. Along with his wife Jeannie, Tom was preceded in death by his parents, sister Cindy Worsley, brother-in-law Dennis Worsley, sister-in-law Linda Spencer, niece Emily Ann DeBrine, nephew Troy Barnhart, and niece Hailey Hochanadel.
The family encourages wearing Kansas City Chiefs or red colored attire to the visitation and service to help honor Tom.
Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday February 6, 2026 at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, MO, with Father Peter Savidge officiating. Committal will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Nevada. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday February 5, 2026 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Neighbors Center, in care of Ferry Funeral Home.