Thomas E. Burcham, Sr., a beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on August 18, leaving behind a legacy of faith, family, and community.
A Funeral Service to honor Thomas’s life will be held at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville, AL on Thursday, August 21. Visitation will be from 1:00–2:00 p.m., followed by the funeral at 2:00 p.m. Burial will take place immediately following the service at Macedonia Baptist Church in Newburg.
Thomas was born on August 2, 1938, to Herbert and Alma Burcham. Thomas was predeceased by his parents, siblings, and devoted wife of 60 years, Phyllis Whitt Burcham, who passed away in 2019. Together, they built a loving family and shared a life full of music, faith, and family.
He is survived by his four children: Thomas Burcham, Jr., Roger Burcham, Kelly Burcham (Robin), and Tracy Burcham Gilliland (John); eight grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren, with two more on the way.
A gifted athlete, Thomas played basketball at Mount Hope High School and Florence State. He was named to the All-State team in both his junior and senior years of high school and was honored for his accomplishments with induction into the Lawrence County Sports Hall of Fame in 1998.
Thomas was a faithful member of several churches throughout his life. Most recently, he was an active member of First Southern Baptist Church in Muscle Shoals, where he led the congregation in singing for several years, often accompanied on piano by his beloved Phyllis.
In his later years, Thomas enjoyed fellowship and fun with friends at the Muscle Shoals Senior Center, where he was a regular at bingo, dominoes, and lunchtime gatherings.
Thomas E. Burcham, Sr. will be remembered for his devotion to family, his love of music, and the best Pap-Paw jokes.
