Thomas Jeremy Halls, 40, of Burlington, died Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center.
Born on September 16, 1985, to Nancy Halls, Thomas lived a life defined by creativity, curiosity, and an unwavering drive to explore both the world and the ideas within it.
A Burlington High School graduate, Thomas built Halls Coating Company through hard work and determination, but found his true passion in artistic expression.
He was an artist and a musician, a past member of the Art Center of Burlington whose drawings, paintings, and photographs often became cherished gifts. Among many other projects, Thomas exhibited his work at Snake Alley Art Fair, painted a veterans mural in Fairfield and created the artwork on the public bench at Sixth and Washington streets in downtown Burlington. He was an accomplished guitarist and drummer, with a talent for picking up almost any instrument and coaxing music from it.
Thomas loved to travel, to explore new places and meet new people from all walks of life. Nature was his refuge; he spent much of his free time outdoors, in the woods and on the rivers, lakes and streams of Des Moines County and the places to which he traveled. He was an excellent cook and loved to craft thoughtful, creative meals for his friends and family.
Thomas was an autodidact and a lifelong learner who devoured knowledge with an enthusiasm that made conversations with him memorable. From astronomy to theology, he absorbed everything he could, and he delighted in a spirited debate just as much as a thoughtful discussion. Behind the tough facade, Thomas showed the world was a man with remarkable depth, generosity, and heart. Those he let in saw how deeply he cared and how much of himself he was willing to share - through his art, his music, his time, and his presence. Thomas' passing will be profoundly felt by all who were fortunate enough to know him.
Thomas is deeply loved and will be sorely missed by his mother, of Burlington; his sister, Stephanie (Calvin) Covert of rural Lomax, IL; his nephews and niece, Hayden, Hudson, Henry, Holden and Hadley Covert; his partner, Jessina Cook of Fort Madison; his godparents, Ken and Brenda Halls of Douds and cousin, Stephanie Halls of Phoenix, AZ; his aunt, Patricia Dumenil of Burlington; his great aunt, Edie Halls (Jean Lattimer) of Madison, WI; his extended family and his many, many friends.
Gone ahead to light his path are Thomas' grandparents, Carol Kay Hertzler and David Keith Halls, and Beatrice Calderon Crespin, and special friends whose loss Thomas mourned deeply.
A memorial service for Thomas will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 20, at Prugh's Chapel in downtown Burlington, 317 N. 4th St. A luncheon and fellowship at Harmony Bible Church, 550 Division Street, will follow the service. All are welcome.
A memorial has been established in Thomas' memory. Contributions may be sent to Thomas' family in care of Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street, Burlington, IA 52601.