Thomas Landeza's Obituary
Thomas Landeza, eighty-eight years of age, passed on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Kaiser Medical Center, In Moanalua.
Thomas, better known as Tommy, was born October 20, 1937, in Kahuku, Oahu, Hawaii, to the late Daniel Landeza and Isabella Landeza Damasco. He was the fifth of seven children, five preceded him in death. He lived his childhood, elementary, intermediate, and high school years in this quaint North Shore plantation town known for its sugarcane industry. From age one, Tommy was “hanai” by his grandfather and grandmother, Felipe and Marcellena Sarno. Tommy’s father had died when he was six months old from tuberculosis.
At the turn of the 20th Century, male workers including Tommy’s father were contract workers brought into the Territory of Hawaii from the Philippines by the powerful labor organization to work the sugarcane fields and as result of its contract to also include housing for them and their families.
Tommy joined the Army after he graduated from Kahuku High School, and after three years of military obligation, he chose to be discharged in Oakland, California. He went to San Francisco City College and majored in Culinary Arts and earned his Associate degree. From his stint in the Army, he established his calling in the food Industry, remained focused, went to college, and started his new profession initially as cook, then chef, then restaurant manager. He was never deterred, and always determined and dedicated to his food profession. He worked hard. He worked in different restaurants in the Bay Area during college and in Lake Tahoe during the summer. For the length of time he graduated from high school until he retired in 2010, he maintained careers in the food industry for fifty-four years. He worked for Perry Boys Smorgy for forty-four years.
ommy married Ludi Agcaoili in 1962, and two sons were born from the union. When Clinton, their first son, was three years old, they moved from California to Hawaii. Perry Boys Smorgy had hired him in California and moved him and family to Hawaii and prior had paid for all travel and shipment and move expenses.
When they were into seventeen years of marriage, both Tommy and Ludi became born-again believers in Jesus Christ. They joined then Hope Chapel which changed its name to Anchor Church. Tommy got involved with the church food service and oversaw many ministries that involved food preparation. When Tom, their second son, from junior high to high school, was involved with the church youth ministries, Tommy got involved with all their ministries held at church and at Camp Timberline for the youth camps where he oversaw the kitchen activities and delegation of volunteers. The seniors known as kupuna began Fellowship Friday at Anchor Church several years ago, and he oversaw the food section of the kupuna ministry. He also belonged to a connect group and a men’s group and loved to discuss the Bible and Scripture with his church friends.
Tommy was such a hands-on devoted husband, father, and grandfather and loved so dearly his wife, two sons, daughter-in-law, and four grandchildren. He was also such a caring friend. He loved spending time with family and friends, laughing and telling many stories he vividly…and accurately!...remembered from his life in Kahuku. He loved spending time with his two sisters, his nephews and nieces, his cousins, and the many friends of cross generations from church and with some of his high school classmates. And he loved to play the ukulele, his favorite pastime. He had this amazing gift to orchestrate jazz notes on the ukulele and sing along from his song sheets as he slid his finger on the ukulele bars.
n Matthew 25:21, Jesus says, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!”
Tommy had been a good and faithful servant. And now Jesus has prepared a room in His mansion for Tommy to be and celebrate with Him forever.
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