Obituary for Tom H. Cairney Thomas H. Cairney, 89, of Fort Dodge passed away peacefully on Friday, October 12, 2018 at Fort Dodge Villa Care Center surrounded by his family. A celebration of life will be held Friday, October 19th, at Tom Thumb Drive Inn from 1 to 4 p.m. Mass will be at Corpus Christi on October 20th at 10:00 a.m. with a visitation one hour prior. Lunch will be held at the Parish Center following mass.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Tom is survived by his wife Phyllis; son, Kevin (Jody) of Altoona; daughter, Kris (Sean) Smith of Urbandale; son, Kirk of Fort Dodge; four grandchildren (Amanda, Benjamin, Alexander, and Mackenzie); and sister, Nancy of Minnetonka, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Julia (Kirwin); two brothers, Robert and James; and sisters, Marian and Jean.
Tom was born September 18, 1929 in Graceville, MN. He graduated from Minneapolis South High School in 1949, and served two years in the US Army. He married Phyllis Jean Volz in 1953.
He attended Brown’s Institute for Radio Broadcasting for two years and moved to Lacrosse, WI, where he worked as a radio announcer. They moved to Fort Dodge in 1955 where Tom worked for KEOK Radio Station as a radio announcer/sales person. He later worked for Farner-Bocken Wholesale Tobacco Company as a sales person.
In 1959 he bought Bohan Drug and created Tom’s Lunch, which he owned and operated for six years. In 1965 he purchased Henry’s Hamburgers on 2nd Avenue South, and built a second Henry’s Hamburgers at the Crossroads Mall (current Ja-Mars). In 1971 he built Tom Thumb Drive Inn which he owned and operated until his death.
Tom owned or had partial ownership in numerous other businesses including Henry’s Hamburgers in Des Moines, Iowa and Emporia, Kansas, Tom Thumb Deli, Tom Thumb catering, three Dairy Queen’s and two P & P Convenience Stores. He purchased the Villager with Jim Ertl in 1978 which was the original Colonial Inn. In 1980 Jim and Tom built the Colonial Inn/Bank Shot which they operated until 1998.
They also managed the Iowa Central Community College food service for eight years. Tom enjoyed golfing, fishing, gardening, playing cards with the North 15th Street Stock Club, and being a boss. Tom was an avid NASCAR, Chicago Bulls, and Minnesota Vikings fan.
Tom had numerous loyal employees and friends over the years including Pete Keller, Jim Jordison, Jim Ertl, and Dick Orskoog. Special thanks to Bruce and Bill Allgood who encouraged Tom to build Tom Thumb Drive Inn. Special appreciation to those who cared for Tom in his final months of life.
Jaci and Taylor lovingly cared for Tom at the Villa Care Center as if he were family. You will always hold a special place in our hearts. Tom influenced countless people through his Tom Thumb Family.
He was a role model, father figure and mentor. He taught customer service and hard work, while helping young people to become responsible adults. Tom was proud of his grandchildren and loved them very much.
He was happily married to Phyllis for 65 years. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Tom H. Cairney please visit our Sympathy Store.
Upcoming Events Celebration Of Life OCT 19. 01:00 PM – 04:00 PM Tom Thumb Drive Inn 1412 A St Fort Dodge, IA, US, 50501 Order Flowers for the Celebration Of Life Guaranteed delivery before Tom’s Celebration Of Life begins. Service , OCT 20.
10:00 AM Corpus Christi Church 408 N. 8th Street Fort Dodge, IA, US, 50501 Order Flowers for the Service Guaranteed delivery before Tom’s Service begins.
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