Thomas Velasco Obituary

Forever in our hearts Thomas Evans Phemister Velasco, 31, son of William Michael Phemister Velasco and Melanie Wall Phemister Velasco, and beloved brother of William, James, and Katherine Velasco, passed away on Friday, August 22, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.

Evans is a graduate of The University of California with honors and a member of the Gamma Beta Phi Honors Fraternity.

Evans is survived by his grandparents, Keith and Sandra Phemister, and Joel and Patti Velasco, along with his loving uncles, aunts, and cousins from the Phemister, Velasco, Wall, Eldridge families and his cousins from the Strickland family.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bobby and Ruby Wall, and his aunt, Nicole Strickland.

There are no words that can truly describe how much Evans meant to us. Evans was remarkable. He had a gift for finding beauty in the little things most people overlooked. Fiercely loyal is an understatement. If he loved you, he loved you deeply, wholly, and forever.

Every moment spent with Evans was one of true presence. He was always fully with you, companion, confidant, and friend, meeting you exactly where you were in life and accepting you completely for who you are. He had a rare way of understanding people, of truly seeing each person with intention and care.

His hidden talents, revealed over time, were like unexpected gifts, gentle reminders of the depth of his brilliance. Evans was the best listener, the sharpest wit, and the one who could always bring laughter when we needed it most. He was our comedic relief, our joy in the hardest moments.

Evans had countless remarkable qualities that we will carry in our hearts forever. Among them was his fearless spirit and boundless sense of adventure. He loved film, especially The Matrix and he lived with that same sense of wonder, defiance, and belief that the world was bigger than it seemed. He freed his mind, and he taught us to see beauty where others only saw the ordinary.

He excelled at everything he tried. Just months after picking up music, he was already composing songs. In middle school, he was reading at an eleventh-grade level. His brilliance was undeniable.

Evans' spirit was magnetic, his old soul captivating. He was everyone's favorite person, the coolest guy with the biggest heart, the one who lit up every room. With Evans, even the simplest moments became unforgettable. No matter the place or the plan, being with him meant belly laughter and pure joy.

He was everything to us. He is our world. We will always be the Phemister-Velasco family of six, just as close and connected as we have always been, and always will be. His laugh and voice will echo in our lives for as long as we are on this earth. We will dream of him and long for the day we can embrace him again in heaven.

"Waiting for the time we will collide

When I meet you on the other side"

-Drab Majesty (Evans' favorite band)

A celebration of Evans' life will be held at a later date, with details to be shared once arrangements are made.