Thomas Loyal Lansdale's Obituary
Celebrating the Life of Tom Lansdale 7/24/1941 - 9/5/2025 Thomas Loyal Lansdale, a beloved father, grandfather, and friend, passed away leaving a legacy of love, creativity and cherished memories. He was born on July 24, 1941 in Atoka, Oklahoma to Arthur and Frankie Lansdale. He moved to California with his whole family at a young age, eventually settling in San Diego in the late 1940’s. Tom’s life was that of a business owner, entrepreneur, artist, maverick, and loving father and grandfather. Many may not know that in the 1970s, he became the nationwide face of Terminix, starring in a television commercial. He later went on to create his own business, Chula Vista Pest Control, which he owned and managed for decades. He was an accomplished artist and photographer who cherished spending time with his friends, children, and grandchildren. He was a true Renaissance man, having a remarkable variety of passionate pursuits throughout his life. These included creative wall painting techniques, pottery, sculpting, telling stories and jokes, photography and photo editing, chocolate making, being a prankster with loved ones, gardening, chess, video games, cooking, bread making, playing and watching football, horse race betting, and so many others that it would surely fill an entire book. He had deep empathy throughout his life for people with unconventional or disadvantaged upbringings, and would go out of his way to directly make a positive impact on these people’s lives. He often had very strong connections to the places he lived. He kept in close contact throughout his life with his friends within the Linda Vista Center Bums and was a well known figure in the city of Imperial Beach, known by the alias “Bug Man”. He passed on September 5, 2025, with his three children by his side. Tom’s life was a testament to love, uniqueness, and creativity. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Legacy of Tom Lansdale He is survived by his children: Lauri, Lawrence (Alison), and Chase (Kimball) Lansdale His legacy continues through his grandchildren.
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