oteburk.html

The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., February 17, 1994, page 16

THOMAS E. BURKELL

Thomas E. "Big Tom" Burkell of Trout Lake, died in his home February 7, 1994; he was 79.
He was born April 14, 1914.
Beloved husband, father and friend, he is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nondis; sons Tom and Ron; sister Rose Haddock of Yacolt; step-sister Rose Bowers of Winlock; daughters-in-law, Shawn Copeland and Beth Homer-Burkell; and his many relatives and friends throughout the state and beyond.
Mr. Burkell and his wife were married November 25, 1939, in Trout Lake, following Mr. Burkell's service with the Civilian Conservation Corps. Both enjoyed jobs working with the forest service until World War II called Mr. Burkell to duty in 1942. He joined the Army Air Corps, 60th Service Squadron, making many life-long friends during his tour of Europe and Northern Africa.
After his homecoming, with the help of Standard Oil, he built and operated "Tommy's Service Station." He became a charter and lifetime member of both the Mt. Adams Elks Lodge #1868 and the David Woodruff American Legion Port #192. Tiring of heavy snow and bad TV reception, Mr. Burkell packed up his family and moved to Renton, taking jobs with Kenworth Trucks and Boeing.
In 1961, he and Nondis purchased the Seabeck General Store, where Mr. Burkell enjoyed serving friends and customers for 16 years. Seabeck became home for the Burkell family and Mr. Burkell joined with other community members to organize and operate the all-volunteer Seabeck Volunteer Fire Department. They finally retired in 1976 and sold the store to Wanda and Bob Coffey, Nondis' sister and her husband.
Retirement was short-lived for Mr. Burkell. At the age of 62 he hired on with a local logging outfit owned by friend and customer Carl Hintz. After a small accident, he took the safer road as a full-time caretaker for a local estate, cultivating his love for gardening and just "keeping busy."
Eventually the couple decided to make their home at the Kitsap Lake Mobil Home Park. Mr. Burkell immediately found work with Safeway before retiring for the last time to do odd jobs for the neighbors and feed his appetite for Louis L'Amour westerns.
Memorial services for Mr. Burkell were held Friday Feb. 11, 1994 at the Lewis Funeral Chapel in Bremerton. In Lieu of flowers the family asks donations be made to either the Silverdale or Bremerton Fire Departments.

The Bremerton Sun, Bremerton, WA., February 9, 1994, page C2

BURKELL, THOMAS E. "Big Tom", born April 14, 1914, in Trout Lake, WA, died peacefully in his sleep at home February 7, 1994, at age 79.
Beloved husband, father and friend, he is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nondis; sons, Tom and Ron; sister, Rose Haddock of Yacolt; step-sister, Rose Bowers of Winlock; daughters-in-law, Shawn Copeland and Beth Homer Burkell; and his many relatives and friends throughout the state and beyond.
Tom and Nondis were married November 25, 1939, in Trout Lake, following Tom's stint with the Civilian Conservation Corps. Both enjoyed jobs with the forest service until World War II called Tom to duty in 1942. He joined up with the Army Air Corps, 60th Service Squadron, making many life-long friends during his tour of Europe and. Northern Africa.
After his homecoming, with the help of Standard Oil Co., he built and operated "Tommy's Service Station." He became a charter and lifetime member of both the Mt. Adam's Elk Lodge #1868 and the David Woodruff American Legion Post #192. Tiring of the heavy snow and bad TV reception, Tom packed up his family and moved to Renton, taking jobs with Kenworth Trucks and Boeing.
In 1961, he and Nondis purchased the Seabeck General Store, where Tom enjoyed serving his friends and customers for 16 years. Seabeck became home, and Tom joined in with other community members to organize and operate the all-volunteer Seabeck Volunteer Fire Department. They finally retired in 1976, selling the store to Wanda and Bob Coffey, Nondis' sister and her husband. Retirement didn't last long and, at 62, Tom hired on with a local logging outfit owned by friend and customer, Carl Hintz. After a small accident, he took the safer road as a fulltime caretaker with a local estate, cultivating his love for gardening and "just keeping busy."
Finally, Tom and Nondis decided to make their home at Kitsap Lake Mobile Home Park. Tom immediately took a job with Safeway, then retired permanently to do odd jobs for the neighbors and feed his appetite for Louis L 'Amour westerns.
Memorial services Friday, February 11, 1994, at 1 p.m., Lewis Funeral Chapel, Bremerton. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to either the Silverdale or Bremerton Fire Departments.