Obituary of Tomas Florez Palacios

In memory of Tomas Palacios, Father, Grandfather, and friend. Tom Palacios, better known as Papa to his family and Tommy to his friends, 80, made his transition into the infinite early Monday morning, April 10, 2017 surrounded by his wife and children. Tom was born September 3, 1936, in Pearsall, Texas to Marcos Palacios and Brijida Flores. Through a poverty-stricken childhood, Tom was raised primarily by his aunt and uncle in the small town of Brundage. Defeating the odds, Tom attended school in Big Wells and excelled in athletics. As a proud member of the Bulldogs team, he received a scholarship to Sul Ross State University. After learning that he would be required to play football, in addition to basketball, his most beloved sport, he left college with aspirations to move to California where his sister was living. At the simple age of 13, he had met his future wife, Dahlia Guajardo, during a Christmas Midnight Mass in Carrizo Springs, Texas. In 1955, at the age of 18, and only after showing proof of successful work in California, Tom was married to Dahlia and together they headed to California to begin their new life. Within just a few years, Tom demonstrated his sharp intelligence, and strong work ethic, impressing his employer and obtaining his general contracting licenses. It was through the masonry business that Tom was able to develop his own business, introduce it to his family, and work within general contracting for over 50 years. Tom was a business man through and through, as he also owned many properties in various states. He took pride in sharing his business with his family and developed such with all of his sons. Aside from work, Tom found joy in hunting and fishing and shared this passion with his children and theirs, spending his summers in Colorado. Papa Tom will be remembered for his overtly caring and selfless demeanor, the wonderful meals he cooked, and his supportive love. He will forever be remembered by his family and friends as a strong, intelligent, motivating, and caring man. To all of his children and grandchildren, Tom was something different - but to everyone, he was exactly what they needed and his love exuded through his generosity. Though Tom was involved in numerous endeavors throughout his life, he never lost sight of life’s most precious blessing, family. Tom is survived by his wife, Dahlia Palacios, his son, Richard Palacios and wife Carla; son, Ron Palacios and wife Kelly; son, Bob Palacios and wife Anne; daughter, Donna and husband Gregg Bojorquez; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by sisters, Felix Perez, Janie Fuentes, Julia Hernandez and brother, Marcos Palacios. Evening vigil with a reciting of the Rosary will be held from 6:00-9:00 PM on Monday, April 17, 2017 at Rose Family Funeral Home, Simi Valley. Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at St. Rose of Lima, Simi Valley. Burial will be held at Assumption Cemetery, Simi Valley following Mass.