Thomas Vernon Salger

Thomas Vernon Salger

Vinton

Thomas Vernon Salger, 68, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Allen Memorial Hospital. Memorial Services will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Murdoch Funeral Home, 520 Wilson Avenue SW in Cedar Rapids with Amy Hart, Certified Celebrant officiating. Private family interment services will be held at a later date in Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton.

Tom was born December 9, 1957, to Larry and Pat (Parmater) Salger at Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton. Tom graduated from Washington High School in Vinton with the Class of 1976. At a young age Tom had a strong work ethic instilled in him by his parents, starting to work very early for his Father, Larry in the ag chemical business, working for many years at Terra International in Vinton and later the Tama Benton Co-Op alongside his brother, Jim. Tom then worked for Alliant Energy in Cedar Rapids. Tom enjoyed family gatherings, socializing with his many friends and shooting off fireworks. He collected matchbox cars, model semi-trucks and antique toy robots, many of which have never been touched and are new in their boxes. Most of all he enjoyed quiet time sitting with his kitty which he named, HIT. HIT enjoyed most of the same food Tom did, even chocolate milk.

Tom is survived by his kitty, HIT; his mother, Pat Salger; brother, Jim (Barb) Salger all of Vinton; his nephews, Matthew (Raymond Siddell) Salger of Center Point; Sean (Chelsea) Salger of Cedar Rapids; great-nephews and -niece, Gavin, Reagan, Danica Salger and Keenan and Jordan Siddell, as well as many other extended family members and close friends.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, Larry Salger; his grandparents, Earl and Bessie Parmater and Herman and Marie “Mary” Salger; his uncles and aunts, Viola Peterson, Arlene Kruger, Marion “Butch” Salger, Nadine Raymond, Loretta Struve, Mary Jeanne Walter, Lois Pennington, Ginny Heath, Vel Blough, Jo Warner, Nan Mussman, Cliff, Ross, Russ, Bill and Vern Parmater.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to: Better Together Animal Rescue, 211 West 4th Street, Vinton, Iowa 52349, www.bettertogetherrescue.org or Together We Achieve, 1150 27th Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404, https://togetherweachieve.org/donate-2/

Tom’s family wishes to thank the staff at Virginia Gay ER and Hospital Staff, the ICU, Heart Unit and Social Work Departments at Allen Memorial Hospital for the excellent care Tom received.

Please share a memory of Tom at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.