Thomas Junior Lockhart, age 90, of Adel, Iowa boarded his final flight to heaven to be with his loved ones on November 11, 2015 at Twilight Acres Nursing Home in Wall Lake, Iowa.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 p.m. on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake. The celebrant will be Fr. Lawrence McCarty, assisted by Deacon Butch Stone. Music will be by Kay Bloyer and the St. Joseph Choir with Julie Steinkamp, and Jeana Schroeder as soloists. Lectors will be Molly Ross, Nicki Till, and Donna Johnston. Gift Bearers will be Tom and Becky Lockhart, John and Sandra Lockhart, Robert and Deanna Lockhart, Paul and Michelle Lockhart, Abbi and Bailey Ullrich, and Cael Lockhart. Eucharistic Ministers will be Nancy Stone, and Dorothy Bohnenkamp. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Kenny Chapman, Butch Stone, Dave Pederson, Denny Hough, Jim Littleton, and James Watkins. Casket Bearers will be K.C. Chapman, Steve Rowan, T.J. Lockhart, Shawn Stone, Josh Miller, Trenton Hough, Jeff Lockhart, Cody Lockhart, Zachery Lockhart, and Brandon Miller. Burial will be at Wall Lake Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Wall Lake American Legion.
Visitation will be held at St. Joseph’s Church starting at 10 a.m. Saturday morning, and will continue until time of the funeral mass. A rosary will be prayed at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be left at the church to be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association, Twilight Acres Nursing Home, Wall Lake, IA; St. John’s Catholic Church, Adel, IA, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Wall Lake, IA, hospice, or church or organization of your choice.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll, and online condolences may be left for Thomas’ family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Thomas J. was born on April 17, 1925 to parents Thomas and Helen (York) Lockhart in Manchester, Iowa. In 1943 during World War II, Tom left high school to join the Navy. He later returned to Vinton, Iowa to finish his high school studies. Following graduation, he attended college at Upper Iowa and the University of Iowa where he majored in agricultural chemistry. On January 27, 1951 he was united in marriage to Lorraine Marie Frana at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville, Iowa and they were blessed with 16 children.
Tom’s long and successful career in the popcorn business began at the National Oats Company of Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1952. From 1964 to 1974 Tom and his family lived in Wall Lake, Iowa where he was the assistant manager at the Popcorn Plant. From 1974 to 1978, Tom and Lorraine owned and operated the Tower Lanes Bowling Alley Café and Lounge in Albia, Iowa. From 1974-1978 Tom was a consultant for Research and Development of Microwave Popcorn for Pillsbury.
From 1978 through 1997 Tom played an essential part in the conception and distribution of Act I and Act II Microwave popcorn as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Golden Valley Foods/ConAgra. Tom retired in 1997 following a 45 year career in the business of popcorn which helped coin his nickname, “Poppin Tom”. In 1981 they moved to Adel, Iowa where Tom continued to reside until June of 2015.
Tom and Lorraine valued the importance and privilege of education and ensured that each of their children pursued additional schooling after high school. Tom liked to read, travel, garden, hunt, and fish and appreciated the many opportunities life afforded him along the way. He enjoyed getting together with family and friends and was known for his wonderful sense of humor and cartoon-like antics. He loved music and taught his children and grandchildren the fun and joy of singing. Music and dance were often used as a comfort to him in his passing years.
Tom is survived by his children: Linda (Kenny) Chapman of Adel, Iowa; Roberta Dang of Adel, Iowa; Thomas (Rebecca) Lockhart of Sidney, Iowa; Nancy (Butch) Stone of Wall Lake, Iowa; Debra (Dave) Pederson of Cannon Falls, Minnesota; Diana (Denny) Hough of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Paul (Michelle) Lockhart of Adel, Iowa; Mary (James) Littleton of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Ann Lockhart (Matt) of San Angelo, Texas; John (Sandra) Lockhart of Adel, Iowa; and Robert (Deanna) Lockhart of Adel, Iowa. His brothers and sisters: Robert (Carolyn) Berry; Mary (Robert) Lane; Karren (Wayne) Gray; and David (Lynn) Berry. Also, 32 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife Lorraine and their sons James and Mark; three infant sons Michael, Andrew, and Richard; his parents Thomas (Mickey) Lockhart, and Helen (Earl) Berry; his wife’s parents James and Adella Frana; his sisters Clara Pulda, Linda Ryan, and Beverly Ann Lockhart; his brother William Lockhart; and his brothers-in-law Bill Pulda, Robert Lane, Alvin Frana, Bob Haddy, and Bill Nobles.
Special thanks to Tom’s two main in-home caregivers, Robert Lockhart, and Roberta Dang, also all other family members who assisted in his care, as well as, Twilight Acres, and SMCH Hospice.
From all who knew and loved our dad, “Papa Tom,” you will be sadly missed by all. Have one great flight on your journey home, “Poppin Tom”!
