Dr. Thomas Kenneth Bagby, Jr

Dr. Thomas Kenneth Bagby Jr., DDS, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family, on May 9, 2026, at the age of 83. Born on October 26, 1942, in Coffeyville, Kansas, to Ella and Thomas Bagby, Tom lived a full and extraordinary life devoted to his family, his profession, and the Kansas City community he proudly served for more than five decades. 

A graduate of the University of Kansas, he was accepted to both medical and dental school before choosing dentistry—launching a remarkable 50-year career caring for generations of patients across the Kansas City area. Tom possessed a rare gift for making others feel seen and welcome. He never met a stranger and brought both intellect and genuine kindness to every conversation. Having traveled everywhere from Egypt to the Amazon, he carried a deep curiosity about the world and a respect for the people in it. A natural dancer with a lifelong love of music and photography, Tom was equally passionate about history and politics. Whether sharing stories, debating ideas, or cheering on his beloved KU Jayhawks, Kansas City Chiefs, and Royals, Tom brought passion, wit, and unmistakable good cheer to all he loved. 

Above all else, Tom was a devoted father, husband, grandfather, brother, son, and friend. He is survived by his spouse, Deborah Payton-Bagby; his children, Thomas Kenneth Bagby III, Ryan (Rachel) Bagby, and Christina Bagby; and stepson Carl (Danielle) Payton; his sisters, Karen (Gary) Finkeldei and Sara (Ron) Sanders; and his cherished grandchildren, Grace and Will. 

A celebration of Tom’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on May 30, 2026, at Village Presbyterian Church, (6641 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, KS 66208) with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City https://www.hsgkc.org.