Tommy "Tom" Joe Baumgardner, Jr., 66, of North Platte, NE passed away on Monday, February 21, 2022 at North Platte Care Center, just one day short of his 67 ^th birthday.  Born in Parsons, Kansas on February 22, 1955 he was the son of Tommy J. Baumgardner, Sr. and Jo (Pittman) Baumgardner.

Tom graduated from Kickapoo High School in Springfield, MO and Ottawa University in Ottawa, KS.  On May 22, 1982 he married Sandra Dee Smith in Kansas City, MO and to this union two sons were born.  Tom owned and operated the Budweiser Distributor in North Platte for many years.  He later worked for the Union Pacific Railroad retiring in 2018.  He was very active in the Boy Scouts of America.  He loved spending time with his racing community and family and was inducted into the NE Auto Racing Hall of Fame, where he won the Gordie Shuck Sportsmanship award.  He raced Classic Modified, IMCA Modified and Sport Compact race cars at many area tracks.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Sandy; sons, Tommy Joe Baumgardner, III of North Platte and Andrew Baumgardner (fiancée Manda) of North Platte; brothers, Brian (Molly) Baumgardner of Overland Park, KS and Bruce (Pam) Baumgardner of Republic, MO.

He was predeceased by his parents.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 3, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. until the time of a memorial service at 6:00 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Father Bernie Kimminau officiating.  The memorial book will be available to sign on Wednesday, March 2nd from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is entrusted with the arrangements.