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Tom passed away on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at the age of 76 to be with his Lord and Savior after a 3 ½ year battle with cancer. Born in Bellingham, Washington, Tom was raised in Linden and Mt. Vernon. He had the strongest of work ethic, starting in the strawberry fields in Linden as a young man. Upon graduating from Mt. Vernon High School in 1963, his first full-time job was at Dairy Valley Drive Thru Milk Barn, thus his love of ice cream began! From there, Tom worked for Carnation, the Frito Lay Company and Sound Beverage Company, during which time Tom and Linda met at Safeway. In 1983, they married in Anacortes, Washington and soon moved to Quincy, Washington to start his Mac Tool Distributorship. During those next 21 years, Tom earned 20 awards from the company due to his dedication and loyalty to his customers, building a successful business from which he retired in 2005. When Tom and Linda began their blessed 38 years together, Tom took on the role of “dad” to Linda’s four children, in addition to two sons from his first marriage. Their ever-growing blended family has shared many years of laughter and tears and is inspirational in their love for one another. All who knew Tom would understand Linda’s nickname for him … “MacGyver” as he could fix anything! Tom had a servant’s heart and loved to bless others with random acts of kindness. Upon retirement, Tom and Linda turned their little Lake Roosevelt cabin into a beautiful home big enough for all of the family and their many friends to enjoy. Over the years, countless precious memories with “Papa” were made and will live on in their hearts. After Tom was diagnosed with cancer, they moved closer to family and friends and fellowship, which they found at the Community Church of Ephrata. Tom had accepted the free gift of salvation many years before and had always been a quiet voice of wisdom to his family, but during his last two years, Tom found a deeper relationship with Christ and was also a quiet witness of His love. Tom was preceded in death by parents, Bill and Vonnie Burger; and daughter Teressa Beth Burger. Tom is survived by his loving wife, Linda Lou Burger of Soap Lake, WA; six children, Todd W. Burger (Marie) of Burlington, WA, Troy A. Burger (Molly) of Lacey, WA; Timothy J. Bodi of Pickford, MI, Penny J. Castro (David) of Rexford, MT, Jeffery S. Bodi (Cheryl) of Soap Lake, WA, Vonda L. Saxton (Adam) of Joseph, OR; 10 grandchildren – Ashley, Matthew, Thomas, Rachelle, Anthony, Timothy, Ryan, Zachary, Zachery, Kaitlyn, Krystin; five great-grandchildren – Gracelynn, Cannan, Mina, Jackson and Lucy; sisters Jackie and Robin; niece Shay; and nephew Brady. A Memorial Celebration for Tom will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 19, 2021 at the Community Church of Ephrata, 54 K Street SE, Ephrata, WA 98823. Tom supported St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and would have liked for any donations in his name to be made

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Tom "Tommy" Robert Burger

August 2, 1945 - October 30, 2021