Tom was born to Charles and Lois Hoskins.  He was a sickly baby, needing 3 heart surgeries before he thrived and grew into the strong, healthy, and willfull man he became.  He loved life, hard work, and above all, family.  He had a very keen sense of humor, enjoyed playing jokes and pranks, but never in a vicious way.  He had 4 brothers and a sister that he loved very much, despite the normal sibling rivarly that most families have.   



Tom graduated high school in May 1981.  His biggest dream was to be a hog farmer.  He raised hogs and cattle, showing them in county and state fairs, and was a good judge of livestock.  When he graduated, he went on to State Fair College, in Sedalia, MO, to study welding.  



In 1984, he met Loraine Roe and they married April 6, 1985.  On December 8, his greatest joy was born.  Jessica Rene Hoskins became his life passion.  He loved being a father in the utmost sense.  Sadly, his marriage to Loraine did not work out and they were divorced in 1989.



August 4, 1990, Tom met Jeri Younger at a friend's house (her brother in law).  It wasn't love at first sight, but they found themselves gravitated to each other.  On November 4, 1990, Jeri moved in with Tom, along with her 9 year old son, James.  Two single parents became a pair, with an instant family.  Blending two families into one is not easy, but Tom dedicated his life to it.  

On April 18, 1992, Tom and Jeri were married in a quaint little country church in DeKalb, Mo, her hometown.  Even though it was a solomn day, Tom couldn't resist getting laughs by showing his birthday present; a pair of dancing pigs boxer shorts, which he revealed to the guests (all family members) after the ceremony.  



Tom loved sports, and when Jessie took up basketball and James took up wrestling and football, Tom was there every single game to cheer his kids on.  He even took precious time out of his evenings to coach youth wrestling, and traveled to Sedalia for state championship one year. His biggest thrill was James' high school going to State football and they drove across the state to the game at the St Louis Rams football stadium.  



Tom's pride in his daughter never waivered.  She was selected to joing "People to People", a group that travels to other countries, and worked relentlessly to help raise funds for her to go.  She left for England on June 14, 2000, and he choked his tears back to wave her goodbye.  Three weeks later, on July 4, his anxiety and anticipation of her return could not be stopped.  The whole family (her mother, stepfather, sister, and grandmother) gathered at his home for a celebration and to wait for the plane arrival that evening.  When she came off the ramp, he had tears in his eyes as he grabbed her in a huge bear hug.  His love for her was so great at that moment.



Four days later, a cookout was planned at her mother's home in Orrick.  He had to work that day, and had Jeri go the night before to stay with Jessica and her mother.  He planned to head down right after work.  He made it as far as turning into their driveway when a speeding off duty volunteer fireman for their town slammed into him, killing him instantly.



Some people might say they wish they had done so many things before they die.  Regrets, wishes, and heartbreak may cloud their remaining days.  Not Tom.  He lived his life to the fullest, and lived each moment like his last.  



He is painfully missed by his wife, Jeri; his daughter, Jessica; his stepson, James; his mother, Lois; his father and stepmother, Charles and Deane Hoskins; his brothers, Roger, Mike, Tim, and Charlie (along with their families); his sister, Patti (and her daughter, Kristi); his aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and all those whose lives he touched.  Life is not the same without him.