Thomas D. Elias

Thomas D. Elias passed away at his home in Santa Monica on January 4, 2026, at age 81. Born in Waltham, Massachusetts, he had a distinguished career in journalism. Tom owned, syndicated, and wrote the biweekly column California Focus for 53 years, beginning in 1972. He pulled no punches with insightful commentary and analysis on a variety of issues affecting the California public. The column appeared in 109 newspapers with circulation of over 2.3 million. Like the muckraking journalists who inspired him, Tom was outraged by abuses of power, self-dealing, and ill-conceived public policies. Known for his integrity and fearlessness, he won numerous awards from the National Headliners Club, the California Newspaper Publishers Association, the Los Angeles Press Club, and the California Taxpayers Association. An archive of his columns since 2009 is available at www.californiafocus.net. Tom also authored the book “The Burzynski Breakthrough: The Most Promising Cancer Treatment and the Government’s Campaign to Squelch It,” and co-authored the book “The Simpson Trial in Black and White.”

Tom belonged to the congregation Kehillat Israel, where he served on the Board and acted in synagogue plays. Inspired by his parents’ escape from Nazi Germany, he tutored Russian immigrants in English through the Jewish Vocational Services and generously gave to organizations combatting antisemitism. And after receiving a kidney transplant, he assumed a leadership position in the Southern California team for the U.S. Transplant Games.

Tom was an avid stamp collector and sports fan—especially Stanford sports. He will be remembered for his sharp intellect, humor, eagerness to talk and share with anyone, and devotion to family and friends. His love for his wife Marilyn, son Jordan, and granddaughters Simone and Lazarre was immeasurable. The family respectfully requests donations be made to a charity of your choice that fights antisemitism. A video of the memorial service on January 9, 2026 can be viewed here.