Eggleston, Tom

Tom Eggleston, 80, of Cedar Rapids, died April 9, 2010, at St. Luke's Hospital following an extended illness. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 14, at Noelridge Park Christian Church. The Rev. Traverse Harrison will officiate. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. A Masonic service will be held at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday at the chapel. Burial will take place at Linwood Park Cemetery, Boone, Iowa at 3 p.m. Wednesday. Arrangements entrusted to Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Surviving are his wife, Barbara; son, Michael and wife Rebecca of Brainerd, Minn.; and grandchildren, Jennifer of Waterloo, Ill., Melissa of Rochester, Minn., and Thomas of Brainerd.

He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Trudy; his brother, Arthur; and his parents.

Tom was born April 27, 1929, in Marietta, Ohio, the son of Harla Ray and Mildred (Cunningham) Eggleston. He received his education at the Marietta Public Schools and Mountain State Business College in Parkersburg, W.Va. He served his country honorably in the United States Navy from 1946 to 1950. He was united in marriage to Barbara Stark on June 28, 1953. He worked in the construction business as a structural iron worker from 1952 to 1970. From 1970 until the date of his Installation as Grand Master, his full time has been dedicated to Freemasonry as Deputy Grand Secretary from 1970 to 1980, and Grand Secretary from 1980 to 1991. In addition, he has served the Grand Lodge on the Public Relations Committee and as Junior Grand Deacon, and Deputy Grand Master.

Tom's Masonic career began at Mount Olive Lodge No. 79 in Boone, where he served as Master in 1962. He also served as a Master in 1982 for Bruce Lodge No. 665 in Cedar Rapids. His ritual proficiency earned him a District Lecturer's Certificate. Tom was also affiliated and active with the following Masonic organizations: York Rite Bodies in Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids Consistory where he received the 33rd degree honor, Malta Chapter No. 415 OES, Ambar Grotto, El Kahir Shrine, St. Ignatius Conclave, and Red Cross of Constantine. He was the proud recipient of the Honorary Legion Of Honor from DeMolay, and has brought credit to Iowa during his service as secretary/treasurer of the Conference of Grand Secretaries of North America.

Tom was also an active member of Noelridge Park Christian Church in Cedar Rapids. He was a tireless volunteer for Camp Courageous, traveling throughout the state to collect items for the Pineapple Gala, as well as numerous other activities for the camp. For the last several years Tom has worked at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home as a funeral assistant.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Tom's honor may be made to Noelridge Christian Church or to Camp Courageous.

Please leave a message, tribute, or memory to Tom's family on the Web page,  under obituaries.