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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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Thomas G. McElmeel
Thomas G. McElmeel
Amber
Thomas G. McElmeel, 82, of Amber, died June 9, 2022, at Jones Regional Medical Center, Anamosa.
A graveside service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 16, at Monticello Oakwood Cemetery, bring a lawn chair and dress casually. All are welcome for a luncheon to follow at Monticello New Life Community Nazarene Church for family and friends.
Thomas was born July 22, 1939, at the Monticello John McDonald Hospital to Gene Owen and Florence Evelyn (Wolfe) McElmeel. Thomas was raised in Cascade where he lived until he was 16. As a teenager Tom worked with his father in the timber and learned how to recognize trees at a glance. This is where his love of the timber came from.
Thomas married Doris J. Burns on Friday, Jan. 13, 1961. They made their homes in the Langworthy area on an acreage and raised calves until 1988. They moved to Amber in 1991, where he lived until his death.
Tom was a heavy equipment operator in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa City areas, and a member of the Local 234 Operating Engineers for 30-plus years. He retired in 2001.
Tom loved his quiet times in the timber. He spent 18 years cutting wood for his home heat. He loved it so much he made it a family affair. He loved to mushroom hunt and was an avid deer hunter. Tom loved westerns, especially “Gunsmoke” and collected Louis Lamour western paper-backs. Tom enjoyed taking his boat out on the Wapsi River. His favorite family camping vacation was to South Dakota Balck Hills, Yellowstone and the Grand Teton Mountains. Tom enjoyed hanging out with his best drinking buddy Red-Jack, who gave him his nickname, Terrible T.
Thomas began attending New Life Community Nazarene Church in 2012.
Survivors include his wife, Doris “D.J.” of 61 years; two daughters, Lori Ehlers (Gerald “JR”) of Monticello and Jennifer Marion (Chad) of Fairfax; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and five siblings.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Robin Weber; and infant great-granddaughter, Lily Jo Schladetzky; one sister; three brothers; and his parents.
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