Tom was born June 24, 1953 in Mojave, CA, died April 14, 2004 in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. He was a 1971 graduate of Ysleta High School in El Paso, Texas and a 1975 graduate of the University of Texas El Paso. Tom was the founder and president of the Ysleta Chess Club. He was an avid chess player all his life, and at one time was the USA Class A Chess Champion, now rated as Expert. Thomas was a Life member of the US Chess Federation.

Thomas was employed by Mountain Bell in El Paso, Texas, and retired from Qwest in Albuquerque. He is survived by his mother and step-father, Joan and Jary Christy of De Soto, Texas, brother, Michael A. Keffer of El Paso, Texas, sister, Lorraine Cochneuer of Hesperia, CA; nephew, Paul E. Knox of Denver, CO. Thomas was preceded in death by his father, Thomas E. Keffer in 1974 and his sister, Alyson L. Keffer in 1976.

Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Association, 30 E. 33rd St., New York, NY, 10016.