Thomas R. "Tommy" Layton

Tommy died on Friday August 9, 2024 at about 6:00 p.m. He died in his bed, in his home full of many family members that will never forget him.

Tommy lived, learned and loved in Racine. He has and has had many friends through all the diversity in his life. He graduated from Racine Lutheran High School, did a short stint at UW-Whitewater before he was forced by the draft board to join the U.S. Army.

Tommy was fortunate that being in the Army was not a death blow. His best childhood friend was killed when the helicopter taking him into Vietnam was shot out of the sky. This incident had a lifelong effect on how Tommy would continue to live.

Most of Tommy’s employment was in sales. He started at Johnson’s Furniture in Racine, moved a few times to try his hand at other furniture stores, and eventually made his home at Porters of Racine. Tommy was with them for many years and chose early retirement when it was announced the store was closing.

Tommy found that he worked harder after retirement. He had married Paula Sapko in the early 1980’s and accepted her and her entire family to live together. His mom struggled for years with Dementia/Alzheimers. She had to be placed in a nursing home facility for her own safety. His dad, Bob, stayed with Tommy and Paula, ultimately dying of a heart attack in his bed at home with Tommy and Paula by his side.

In 2003, Tommy agreed and was excited to relocate with his wife Paula to their current residence. After the purchase and some monumental changes to the house, it housed Paula’s mother Joyce, who succumbed to small cell lung cancer in 2012. Also living with the Layton were Paula’s brothers, Rick and Joe, both of whom were born with Cerebral Palsy and ultimately became quadriplegics. Joe died in his bed in his home in 2015. Tommy grew very close to Joe and was his primary caretaker ensuring his trach and his tube feeding were performed properly and that his care was provided with respect and love. When Joe succumbed to his illness, he knew that he was loved.

Richard, Paula’s youngest brother and quadriplegic, survives Tommy. He will remain in his home, in his bed for as long as is reasonably possible. Taking care of family at home is the ultimate gift of love.

Tommy will be dearly missed by his wife, Paula; brother, James “Micky” (Carol) Layton and their children, Michelle Coyman, Peter Coyman, Nancy Abercrombie and her son, Sonny, Jimmy (Pam) Layton and their daughter, Kara, Debra Clark, Dana Clark, Nikkolas Clark, and Charles Clark; brother-in-law, Richard Sapko; sister-in-law, Mary (Steve) Lui and their children, Debra Jeelani, Brandon Jeelani, Kaori Jeelani, Paul Lui, Kahla Lui, Jaxon Lui, Jayce Lui; special extended family, Janice Craig-Ravat, Bree Mahone, Lola Rodriguez, Arelius Rivera and Ashe Oglesby; other relatives and many friends.

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Viola Layton; cousin, Ken Dexter; uncle, Jimmy Reynolds; best friend, Dickie O’Hara; and other family and friends.

Tommy always kept his family and friends close to him even through sickness and death, and he will be remembered the same.

Private family services will be held.