Thomas J. McBurney

November 25, 1927 - January 9, 2019

Thomas James McBurney, 91, left his earthly home on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 surrounded by his family. A Service of Celebration will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 19, 2019 at the Faith United Methodist Church in Humboldt. Interment will be at Union Cemetery, Humboldt, following the service. Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 18th at the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home, Humboldt. www.masonlindhart.com Thomas James McBurney was born November 25, 1927 in Rockford, Illinois, the son of Harold E. McBurney, Sr. and Vinona (Rinehart) McBurney. In 1938, he moved with his family to a farm in Corinth Township. He graduated from Humboldt High School in 1945. Following graduation, he continued farming with his parents until enlisting in the United States Navy on February 13, 1946. He was stationed at the Naval Base in San Diego, California and attended electronic school. Tom was honorably discharged on December 12, 1947. He was united in marriage to Ruby Hood on March 19, 1950. To this marriage four sons were born, John Thomas, Mark Alan, Robert James and Richard Lee. Thomas began farming near Bode, and later moved his family to a farm near Rutland. He also worked for Hastings Hatchery in Humboldt. In 1962 the family moved to Aurelia where he served as a Farm Bureau Field Agent for Cherokee County. Moving back to Humboldt in 1965, he owned and operated Hilltop 66 Service Station and later Tom’s Standard both in Humboldt. After ten years he sold Tom’s Standard and worked as a custodian at the Humboldt High School for twelve years until he retired. He then drove school bus for twelve years. In his retirement, he started a business, Grandpa’s Toys, and enjoyed traveling with Ruby throughout the Midwest to Farm Toy Shows. That business was sold in 2010 and he retired for the final time. Thomas enjoyed meeting with his coffee buddies, following the local high school sports teams, the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones, the Chicago Cubs, and most of all spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a member of the Noon Kiwanis where he served a term as President and was a member of Faith United Methodist Church where he served on various boards. He is survived by his children, John (Nancy) McBurney of Midland, Texas; Mark (Mary Ann) McBurney of Iowa City; Robert (Jane) McBurney of Humboldt; Richard (Becky) McBurney of Clarksville; grandchildren; Amanda (Dallas) Webster, Cara (Andrew) Shephard, Stacy McBurney, Anthony McBurney, Joanna (Sam) Byrd, Joseph (Emily) McBurney, Joshua (Abbey ) McBurney, Alan (Angela) McBurney, Elizabeth (Ryan) Daly, Taylor (Madison) McBurney; Elise McBurney (friend Patrick Dey), Sheena (Ed) Hargus, Kristina McBurney & Katelyn McBurney; many great and great-great grandchildren; and a brother, Lloyd (Carol) McBurney of Humboldt. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 68 years, Ruby, one brother and sister-in-law, Harold (Gladys) McBurney, Jr., three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Mary (Stanley) Dirksen, Kathryn (Orville) Anderson and Margaret McBurney, and daughter-in-law, Tracy McBurney. Memorials may be directed to Unity Point Hospice.