Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home
4800 E Indian School Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85018
(602) 840-5600
info@whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com
  • Home
  • About
    • History
    • Map & Directions
    • Our Facility
    • Staff Directory
  • Obits
  • Funeral & Cremation Services
    • Funeral & Cremation Options
    • Personalizing Services
  • Merchandise
  • Preplan
    • Preplan Online Now
  • Aftercare
  • Flowers
  • Resources
    • COVID-19
    • FAQ
    • Social Security Benefits
    • Veterans Benefits
  • Tour
  • Blog
  • Reviews
  • Contact

BURGER, THOMAS LEE

September 22, 2020 6 Condolences

Thomas L Burger photo

On September 17, 2020, Thomas “Tom” Lee Burger, 67, sadly lost his hard-fought battle with cancer, surrounded by his adoring family. Tom was born in Jasper, Indiana and moved to Phoenix, Arizona around 1955. Tom married his best friend, Nancy Hite, in 1975. They were devoted to and loved one another for 45 years, and together they raised 3 wonderful children. His son Tommy Jr., Tim, and his son-in-law Matt were his best friends and his rocks. He loved his daughter Lindsey and granddaughter Avery Anne, who were the lights of his life. Tom believed in working hard so that he could spend quality time with his family. He and Nancy made it a priority to take their children on various adventures together. And no matter where the family was, Tom insisted that at mealtime they stopped, held hands, bowed heads, and thanked God together. Tom enjoyed visiting his extended family in Indiana each summer and prepared meals for 65+ relatives. Tom loved preparing Thanksgiving feasts with his brothers and sisters, and nieces and nephews, sometimes accommodating 70+ family members. Tom also loved playing golf and bocce ball and coaching his children’s teams.

Tom proudly owned Burger & Associates, a consumer electronics business, which afforded him the opportunity to travel and meet many lifelong friends. Tom considered his friends his family, who are salt-of-the-earth individuals with pure hearts.

Tom devoted his life to giving back and helping underserved youth, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars through the family charity, Golf Encounters Fore Charites, benefitting Phoenix and Scottsdale Boys and Girls Clubs, Make A Wish Foundation, ALS Association, Stepping Stones Charity, Sunshine Acres, Juvenile Diabetes, and the New Heart Society. Additionally, Tom served on the Phoenix Boys and Girls Club’s Executive Council.

Tom is preceded in death by his mother and father, Julietta and Ambrose Burger, brothers Ronald and Stanley Burger, and sister Bonnie Brown. Tom leaves behind his wife Nancy, sons Thomas Jr. and Timothy, daughter Lindsey (Matthew) Perry, granddaughter Avery Anne Perry, sister Beverly Schouten, brothers Michael and Richard Burger, and many adored aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, friends, and fur babies.

Tom loved life and he fought so hard to stay in it. Tom was adored by so many and his big bear hugs and contagious smile will be sorely missed by all. Pops, thank you for showing us the way and defining for us what a good man, husband, and father are. We will forever love you.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, with a Remembrance/Rosary service beginning at 6:00 PM at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Saint Theresa Catholic Church, 5045 E. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at 10:30 AM. Attendees are asked to wear a mask and physically distance. For those unable to attend, the Remembrance/Rosary will be streamed live at www.facebook.com/whitneymurphyfh/live, and Mass will be streamed live at www.facebook.com/stphx.org/live

In lieu of flowers, Tom requested donations be directed to:
Team Bradley Bear, in honor of Bradley Cassavant who lost his life to a rare brain tumor at the age of 13 months – www.teambradleybear.com
Home Fur Good Pet Rescue (c/o Hannah Burger) – https://homefurgood.org/donate/
Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale – https://bgcs.org/donate/. Condolences and Hugs from Home may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com.

Offer Hugs From Home Condolence for the family of BURGER, THOMAS LEE

Print Obituary & Condolences Print Obituary & Condolences

Filed Under: Obituary

Condolence Messages

  1. Steve Andrews

    September 23, 2020 at 7:33 am

    Nancy, My heart and prayers are with you and your family. Steve Andrews

  2. Denise Blommel

    September 23, 2020 at 7:38 pm

    Tommy was my classmate from Kindergarten through 8th Grade at St. Thomas the Apostle. He was always a lot of fun. Tommy was friendly to all and had a wonderful heart.
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
    Denise Blommel and family

  3. Marie Donaher

    September 25, 2020 at 2:11 pm

    Nancy, Sending all our love and support to you and the family.

  4. Jeanne McLoone-Johnson

    September 27, 2020 at 5:51 am

    Nancy –

    Thank you for your kind words and I am extending our sincere condolences to you and your family.
    Tom’s dedication and devotion to coaching was such an important influence in Angus’ life and that of
    many others as well. I am hoping they are discussing baseball statistics up in Heaven!

    Sending healing and love to all your family,

    Jeanne, Dan and the Family

  5. Sharon/Jerry Burger

    September 28, 2020 at 8:00 pm

    Nancy,

    We are thinking of you and your family and send our deepest sympathy and our love. Tom has made such a difference to us and to all of his Indiana cousins and friends. A role model of integrity and chivalry, Tom was always generous, considerate and caring. He made this world a better place and will be greatly missed. We have many great memories that we will always cherish.

    Jerry and Sharon

  6. Karyn M Tanner

    September 29, 2020 at 4:46 pm

    Nancy, Rex and I just found out Tom’s passing, We are deeply saddened. We remember his warm heart and great hugs. Our deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. Rex & Karyn Tanner

Leave Your Hugs From Home Condolence

Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields

Order Flowers

AZ Expressions

Talk of a Lifetime

Share this Obituary

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Share Us Feedback

Tell us about your Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home experience

Leave Us a Review

Order Flowers

AZ Expressions

Phoenix, AZ & Area Weather

Phoenix, AZ
February 2, 2023, 6:36 pm
Mostly sunny
Mostly sunny
64°F
sunrise: 7:23 am
sunset: 5:59 pm
 

Follow us on:

  • Facebook
  • RSS

Copyright © 2023 | Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E Indian School Rd Phoenix, AZ 85018 | Phone: (602) 840 5600 | Email: info@whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com

Contact | Directions | Obituaries | Funeral Pre-Planning | Site Map | Phoenix AZ: Funeral Home & Cremation Services | Website by FRM Websites