A funeral service for Thomas E. Sullivan will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska with Chaplain DeWane Dow officiating. Interment will follow at the Kearney Cemetery in Kearney, Nebraska.
Thomas Edward Sullivan, 63 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away, on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney. Thomas “Tom” was born in Holdrege on September 5, 1960, the sixth of seven children, born to LeRoy and Katharine (Carlson) Sullivan. He received his education mostly in Holdrege and Bertrand schools, but after his family moved to Kansas, he graduated from Decatur County High School, with the class of 1978.
Following high school, Tom took a few classes at Kearney State College and worked at L&W Service Center as a mechanic.
On July 2, 1982, Tom was united in marriage to Anne L. Hamik at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney. Tom and Anne had three children: Matthew James, Michael John, and Caitlin Christina. After moving around a bit, the couple made their home in Central City, Nebraska, where Tom was a small-business owner of Novus Windshield Repair. Together, Tom and Anne enjoyed home improvement projects, gardening and landscaping, and time with family and friends. Tom was a dedicated and proud father, serving as a tee ball and junior wrestling coach and cheerleader for all of his children’s sports and activities.
Tom’s life changed when he had two strokes in 2007 and 2008 that resulted in him being disabled, but he still stayed invested in the lives of his wife, his children, and their families as much as possible. Tom remained his humble and witty self after his strokes and never gave up on trying to make progress on his recovery. He was actively involved in activities and events at the assisted living facilities that helped with his care, and he especially loved volunteering to help with chores and outings. Most importantly, he loved being “Papa” to his six grandchildren.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Anne Sullivan on January 3, 2019; one brother-in-law, William Koppinger; and his father-in-law, James “Jim” Hamik.
He is survived by his three children: Matthew Sullivan of Madison, Wisconsin; Michael Sullivan and his wife, Gabrielle, of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Caitlin Vest and her husband, Talus of Holdrege; six grandchildren: Estelle, Haven, Titus, Harper, Crue, and Hudson; four sisters: Carol Brown and her husband, Kevin of Oberlin, Kansas; Kerri Myers and her husband, Randy of Bertrand; Karen Koppinger of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Kaylon Hubbard and her husband, Steve of Kearney; two brothers: John Sullivan of Colby, Kansas; Jim Sullivan and his wife, Loretta of Oberlin; his mother-in-law, Irene Hamik; numerous sisters- and brothers-in-law; along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.
Memorials in Tom’s honor are suggested to the family for later designation. Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com
The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.