Thomas “Tom” Bourke of Riverton, lost his battle with cancer Friday, April 24, 2015 at his home with his family by his side. He was 75 years old.
Per his request, cremation has taken place and there will be no formal services, but a private memorial with family and close friends will be held at a later date.
Tom was born August 14, 1939 in Rawlins, Wyoming to J. Paul and Glee (Cully) Bourke. He married Carolyn “Coke” Taylor on March 20, 1956. Together they had four children and made their home in Rawlins, WY.
Tom started in construction as a carpenter apprentice and later became a carpenter after four years. He worked for several small contractors before going to work for L.M. Olson Construction Co. where he worked for nearly 30 years. In 1987 they moved to Dubois, WY where he opened a gift shop and made and sold many residential and commercial signs. He was also very talented in wood carvings of animals and oil painting. In 1988, Tom and Carolyn purchased the Murdock Insurance Agency in Dubois, and late sold it to Tegler Insurance in 1992 where Carolyn continued to work until she retired in 2004. The sold their home west of Dubois, and moved to Riverton to retire.
He loved Wyoming and it was his only home. He was an avid outdoorsman as hunting and fishing was his life, but he loved his mules, Drew Chew and Smarty Pants, and his dog, Joe, very much.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carolyn; sons, Michael and wife Kathy Bourke of Morenci, AZ and Kelly Bourke of Rawlins, WY; daughters, Jana and husband Charles Allen of Rawlins, WY and Jamie and husband Randy Harvey of Riverton, WY; brother Ron Bourke and companion Elizabeth Wilsher of Shell, WY; sister, Betty Gray of Eaton, CO; five grandchildren, Tatum and husband John Koch of Sheridan, WY, Shelby Allen of Casper, WY, Aubrey and husband RJ Griffiths of Rawlins, WY, Seth and wife Kelli Ann Allen of Casper, WY, and Cully and wife Sabreenah Bourke of Morenci, AZ; and eight great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Glee and Paul Bourke; his paternal grandparents Roscoe and Myrtle Cully; his maternal grandparents William and Lydia Bourke, and many aunts and uncles.
On-line condolences may be made to the family at www.TheDavisFuneralHome.com.
Services under the direction of Davis Funeral Home.
Per his request, cremation has taken place and there will be no formal services, but a private memorial with family and close friends will be held at a later date.
Tom was born August 14, 1939 in Rawlins, Wyoming to J. Paul and Glee (Cully) Bourke. He married Carolyn “Coke” Taylor on March 20, 1956. Together they had four children and made their home in Rawlins, WY.
Tom started in construction as a carpenter apprentice and later became a carpenter after four years. He worked for several small contractors before going to work for L.M. Olson Construction Co. where he worked for nearly 30 years. In 1987 they moved to Dubois, WY where he opened a gift shop and made and sold many residential and commercial signs. He was also very talented in wood carvings of animals and oil painting. In 1988, Tom and Carolyn purchased the Murdock Insurance Agency in Dubois, and late sold it to Tegler Insurance in 1992 where Carolyn continued to work until she retired in 2004. The sold their home west of Dubois, and moved to Riverton to retire.
He loved Wyoming and it was his only home. He was an avid outdoorsman as hunting and fishing was his life, but he loved his mules, Drew Chew and Smarty Pants, and his dog, Joe, very much.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carolyn; sons, Michael and wife Kathy Bourke of Morenci, AZ and Kelly Bourke of Rawlins, WY; daughters, Jana and husband Charles Allen of Rawlins, WY and Jamie and husband Randy Harvey of Riverton, WY; brother Ron Bourke and companion Elizabeth Wilsher of Shell, WY; sister, Betty Gray of Eaton, CO; five grandchildren, Tatum and husband John Koch of Sheridan, WY, Shelby Allen of Casper, WY, Aubrey and husband RJ Griffiths of Rawlins, WY, Seth and wife Kelli Ann Allen of Casper, WY, and Cully and wife Sabreenah Bourke of Morenci, AZ; and eight great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Glee and Paul Bourke; his paternal grandparents Roscoe and Myrtle Cully; his maternal grandparents William and Lydia Bourke, and many aunts and uncles.
On-line condolences may be made to the family at www.TheDavisFuneralHome.com.
Services under the direction of Davis Funeral Home.