Thomas LeRoy Costello, Jr. passed away peacefully on November 7, 2019 at a hospice center in Glendale, Arizona. Throughout his life he answered to many names: Tom, Big Tom, Dad, Papa, Papa T, and Grandpa Tom. Tom was born in Rapid City on April 10, 1930, the first baby born in St John's hospital, to Thomas LeRoy "Roy" Costello and Doris "Dodo" Penrose Costello. He was the youngest of three siblings raised on the ranch along Elk Creek east of Piedmont. In 1945, a second ranch was purchased at Imlay, east of Scenic in the Badlands of South Dakota.

He attended grade school at the Burton school on Elk Creek and high school in Rapid City. Here he developed a love of football and track. He started as freshman at SDSU in Brookings. When his father became ill in 1949, he returned home to help run the ranches, and remained managing partner until 1975 when the ranches were sold.

He married Louanne Vidal in June of 1952. To this union three children were born. Mark, Thomas III, and Penny. The family lived on the Badlands ranch until 1963 when they moved to the Elk Creek ranch.

Tom was active in the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association. He was the first VP of Jr. Stockgrowers, established in 1948. He went on to serve as President of SD Stockgrowers from 1966-1968. He also served as a director of the First National Bank of the Black Hills and the Boys Club in Rapid City.

In 1974 he established the Slash J Steak House and Saloon in Piedmont, which is still operating today. Tom became a real estate broker and appraiser specializing in ranch properties.

After entering recovery from alcohol addiction, Tom began a long career as an addiction counselor, beginning in 1975 at River Park in Pierre, SD. In 1981, he helped establish River Park of the Black Hills and served as executive director and counselor. He co-founded the Focus program, and was an out-patient counselor at the New Dawn Center.

In 2003, he met Caroline Kay Flanagan. After they married on August 23, 2003, Tom and Kay embarked on a 12-year adventure in Atenas Costa Rica. There they established Kay's Gringo Postres Café and Restaurant. The restaurant was a gathering place for ex-pats and visitors from around the world, and home of local AA chapter which Tom helped establish. Through that adventure, Tom and Kay enjoyed lasting friendships that sustain today.

Returning to the states in January of 2015, Tom and Kay settled in Peoria, AZ, where they enjoyed time with their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, all who will greatly miss Papa T.

Tom is preceded in death by a twin brother who died at birth, both of his parents, sister Patricia "Pat" Costello Trompeter, and brother John "Jack" M. Costello. He is survived by his wife, Kay, his son Mark (Susie) Costello of Phoenix, Arizona, son Tom (Madonna) Costello of Redig, SD, and daughter Penny (Kate Allen) Costello, of Lincoln, Nebraska. Surviving step-children include Delbert "Del" Miller, James (Kim) Hayworth, and Gary (Carrie) Hayworth of Belle Fourche; Dusty Gibson, Keystone. Surviving grandchildren and great-grandchildren are: Sara (Jason) and Jude Mahoney; Ryan Costello; Shawn, Michael and Conner Costello, all from Phoenix, AZ; Jake, Holly, Cade and Kelsi Costello of Redig, SD; Tommy and Danyell Costello of Sundance, WY; Matthew, Alisa, and Connor Costello of Gillette, WY; Michael, Nicole, Kirsten, Dante, Dierks, and Mary Jane Hayworth; and Drayvun, Kylor and Yvette Gibson of Belle Fourche.

Tom leaves behind dozens of nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous friends who will remember him for his kind heart, indomitable spirit, and the huge impact he made on so many lives.

A memorial service will be held at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City at 10:30 a.m. on December 13, 2019.