Thomas Bourne

Thomas Bourne,86 of Scottsdale, Arizona died on Wednesday, May 27, 2009, at Hospice of the Valley-Brighton Gardens in Scottsdale, Arizona. Born Monday, September 11, 1922, he was the son of the late John Bourne and the late Mary Jones Bourne. He was the husband of Marjorie Renner Bourne. He was employed by Buckeye Pipeline. He served in the Army from 1942 until 1945. He was a Veteran of World War II. He was 86 years old. Thomas Bourne was born on September 11, 1922 in Allen County, Ohio to Mary Ellen (Jones) and John Bourne. Tom grew up in Gomer, Ohio and, after the early loss of his mother, was raised by his Aunt Margaret and Uncle Offa Brenneman with their daughter, Dorothy Brenneman Ridenour, on their farm near Gomer, Ohio. His siblings were Mildred Bourne of Lima, Ohio; Richard (Rosie) Bourne, of Ellensburg, Washington; and Charles Bourne of Lima, Ohio. Deceased-Sister-Helen (Bourne) Micha. He graduated from Gomer High School and attended the Northwest Ohio School of Commerce in Lima, Ohio. During WWII, Thomas Bourne served honorably in the US Army Infantry from November, 1942 to October, 1945. He achieved the rank of Sergeant Specialist and served with Hdqrs. Co., 117th Infantry, 30th Division. His Company landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy on June 6, 1944 in the second wave on the first day of the Invasion. He earned 5 Battle Decorations for his contributions in 5 major battle campaigns in the European Theater. Namely, the Battle of St. Lo, France, the Battle of St. Barthelmey, France, the Battle of Mortain, France, the Battle of Aachen, Germany, and the Battle of the Bulge in Germany. He married Marjorie L. Renner in 1945. He was employed as an accountant for Buckeye Pipeline in Lima, Ohio and for the Salt River Project in Scottsdale, AZ where he retired after many years. Thomas played high school basketball and baseball, and has been a lifetime sports fan. His friends, and family, were important to him. Tom and Marge played golf, and spent time at their summer home near Flagstaff, AZ. He had a remarkable ability to remember dates and figures and do calculations in his head, even after a severe loss of sight. Tom also had a great sense of humor and was always pleasant and fun to be around. Thomas Bourne is survived by Marjorie L. Bourne, his wife of 64 years, and numerous nieces and nephews. Surviving are brothers, Dick (Rosie) Bourne of Ellensburg, WA, sisters, Dorothy (Bourne) Ridenour of Gomer, OH and Mildred Bourne of Lima, OH. He was predeceased by sister, Helen (Bourne) Micha. Interment will be in Pike Run Cemetery, Gomer, OH. The family will receive friends from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at the Funeral Home. A Masonic Service will be preformed by Lodge #205 at 8:00 P.M. Funeral services will Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 11:00 A. M.be at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home, with Military graveside honors conducted by VFW Post 1275, , Rev. Howard Allison will officiate. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Gomer Welch Museum. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com