Thomas Joel Cenarrusa

     Thomas Joel Cenarrusa, 70, passed away in Ingram, Texas on June 23, 2025.

     Tom was born October 20, 1954 in Twin Falls, Idaho to Victor Martin Cenarrusa and Ida Fern (Hensley) Cenarrusa.

     He was raised in Richfield, Idaho until he started high school. Tom finished high school in Bliss, Idaho and as an adult became a very big part of the small community. He was on the School Board for many years and a business owner. Tom started working in the restaurant industry from an early age. He loved cars and needed a way to support his love.

     In 1977 he married Marsha Smith and continued to work for her parents as a chef. Tom and Marsha bought Smith’s Quick Stop from her parents and put a restaurant in the building. The Royal Cafe and Bakery was reborn. It was named after the business that Marsha’s parents owned in Arco, Idaho. Together they ran the restaurant until 1998 when they sold it. His time in Bliss was filled with boating, skiing and being around friends. He always had graph paper around that he would make plans to enhance their home. Tom went to work for Rural Telephone Company in 1998 and was the telephone technician at their location in Sparks, Nevada. He retired from there in 2022 and moved to Ingram, Texas.

     He is preceded in death by: his grandparents - Dolf and Dora Hensley and Claudia and Pedro (Pete) Cenarrusa; and his parents - Victor and Fern Cenarrusa.

     He is survived by Marsha of Hagerman Idaho; his sisters and brother - Carmen (Ben) Stevens of Gooding, Idaho, Michael Cenarrusa of Richfield, Idaho, and Kara (Ron) Frank of Johnstown, Colorado; his children - Anisha Cenarrusa of Jerome, Idaho, Benjamin Cenarrusa of Hagerman, Idaho, and Joelann (Lason) Cope of Gooding, Idaho; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

     A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the Bliss City Park in Bliss.

     A private family inurnment will take place at the Richfield Cemetery in Richfield.

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