Thomas Othel Mooney, Jr.

Thomas Othel Mooney Jr. was born January 21st, 1936 in Carthage, Missouri to parents Thomas Othel Mooney Sr. and Bernice Margaret Mooney.  He grew up in Fredericktown, Missouri with two younger sisters, Barbara and Kayteen, who worshipped, adored, and waited on their older brother hand and foot. He attended grade school, junior high and graduated from Fredericktown High School. After graduation, Tom moved to St. Louis, where he was employed at McDonnell Douglas. He then attended the police academy and worked for the St. Louis Police Department for four years.

While living in St. Louis, Tom, his wife, and their son Michael Scott Mooney took a trip out to Southern California in the early 1960’s to visit sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Jack Henson. Tom fell in love with California. With Jack and Barbara’s encouragement, the family moved to Bellflower, when Mike was a young boy, eventually settling in Buena Park, California.

In 1964, Tom was hired as a Pressman at the Los Angeles Times where he continued to work until he retired in 1993. Additionally, he served 13 years as a reserve for the Buena Park Police Department, returning to his passion for police work.

After divorcing in the late 1960’s, Tom was re-introduced by Barb to the recently divorced Marlene Burgess, a longtime family friend of Barb and Jack’s from First Lutheran Church and Bethany Lutheran Church, both in Long Beach. The two of them were smitten with each other from the beginning and it was love at first sight. There was only one catch- Marlene had four children ranging from age three to thirteen! In the end, Tom’s love for Marlene won out. The two were married September 4, 1971, at Bethany Lutheran Church with their five children and close family and friends in attendance. The blended family resided in the family home in Cerritos, with Mike visiting every weekend. This made for a very noisy household, but one filled with God’s love and blessings. Tom and Marlene lived together in the Cerritos house until Tom’s recent passing.

Tom and Marlene’s 53 years of marriage were filled with many fun adventures with their five children. The family enjoyed many trips to the Colorado River and Lake Mohave, Arizona. To enhance these summer trips, Tom bought a new jet boat and two trailer homes in Bullhead City, Arizona. Many wonderful memories were created while boating and water-skiing at Lake Mohave. The family often took summer vacations to Durango and Bayfield, Colorado to visit Grandma Mooney and Aunt Kayteen. In Tom and Marlene’s later years, they camped locally in their motor home and traveled all over the United States with close friends. Additionally, they traveled internationally with a group from Bethany throughout Europe, China, and the Caribbean.

Tom had been in failing health for the past 2 ½ years.  But he never, ever gave up. He fought his deteriorating health with an indomitable determination and courage. He also never, ever complained. His final days were spent at Kaiser Hospital in Downey. He was surrounded by Marlene, his four children, grandchildren, and daughter- and sons-in-law when he peacefully transitioned to his heavenly life on Friday, June 20, 2025.  He was 89 years old.

Tom leaves behind his loving wife of 53 years, Marlene; daughter and son-in-law Cheri and Shane Starr; daughter and son-in-law Teri and John Coakley; son and daughter-in-law Rick and Loretta Burgess; daughter Michele Jones; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sister Barbara Cipriani; sister and brother-in-law Kayteen and Don Bolinger; two nieces, three nephews, and several great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas, his mother, Bernice, and his son, Michael.

Tom was a wonderful husband, dad, papa, great papa, uncle, and friend to so many people. He was a God-fearing man of high morals, unwavering dedication and unconditional love who fought a good fight until the end. He will be sorely missed.

RIP Tom Mouie! We love you forever and are so incredibly blessed and grateful to have had you in our lives.

Xoxoxoxo

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Bethany Lutheran Church to the Thomas Mooney Bethany Lutheran School Scholarship Fund.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401