Thomas John Elmore, 75, of Burlington, went to be with the Lord Sunday, June 9, 2024, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.
Born March 15, 1949, in Burlington, he was the son of John H. and Doreen M. Brockelman Elmore. Tom met the love of his life in high school. Before the start of his senior year, he married Geraldine "Geri" H. Johnson in Burlington on June 12, 1966. They were very close to celebrating their 58th wedding anniversary.
He graduated from Burlington High School in 1967, and furthered his education at SCC and Iowa Wesleyan.
Tom started his career as a teacher, coach and Athletic Director for Burlington Notre Dame. He later taught and coached at Burlington High School and was the Athletic Director until his retirement in 2004. Throughout his career, he coached baseball, football, basketball, wrestling, track and softball. Tom even helped win a basketball state title for BHS with fellow coach Mack Turner. He truly loved coaching kids and was very involved with developing them in more than just sports. He strived to be a positive role model to every child he coached or taught.
He was a member of First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association, Purple and Gray Foundation and was inducted into the Hall of Honor in the Burlington School District in 2017. When Tom was not spending time with family, he enjoyed spending time in his garden planting flowers, tinkering in his shop or working in his yard, and had his own lawn care service. He was proud to instill his work ethic into his children and grandchildren. His positive, loving and gentle spirit will be greatly missed by his many friends and family.
Survivors include his wife, Geri Elmore of Burlington; son, Thomas J. (Lisa) Elmore, Jr. of Burlington; daughter, Angela Kay (Scott) Leinbach of West Burlington; five grandchildren, Derek (Jaden) Elmore, Kayla (Isaac Oard) Elmore, Samantha (Kris) Crail, Mason Leinbach, and Mitchell Leinbach; sister, Marcia (David) Walker of Burlington; brother, Dennis (Barb) Elmore of West Burlington; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Max Elmore and sister, Linda Elmore.
Visitation will be from noon until 7:00 PM with the family to receive friends from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street.
The funeral service for Mr. Elmore will be 10:30 AM Friday, June 14, 2024, at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) with Reverend David J. Yonker and Reverend Brooke Robbins officiating. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the community room at Prugh Funeral Service following the service.
Memorials have been established for First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, the Burlington Community High School Athletic Department and the Purple and Gray Foundation.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.