Thomas Bourland

1953 - 2017

Thomas Reid Bourland born on January 1, 1953, in Tupelo, Mississippi, and raised in Itawamba County, was the son of Ralph and Joy Rankin Bourland. He earned a B.S. in Forestry, followed by a master's degree in Wildlife Ecology from Mississippi State University. He also completed the Executive Program at Louisiana State University. Tom was a Registered Forester in Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas as well as a Certified Wildlife Biologist who specialized in Wetland Delineation.

After 14 years with International Paper in Shreveport, 10 of those as the senior wildlife ecologist, Tom joined a consulting firm to form Crawford and Bourland Inc. and continued consulting for 10 more years. In 2000 Tom formed Tom Bourland & Associates LLC., specializing in forestry, wildlife and environmental consulting, with an emphasis on wetlands. He frequently led seminars on wetland regulations and endangered species. He published over 60 papers on such topics as wildlife conservation, endangered species, wetlands, and forestry best practices.

Tom had a deep passion for the outdoors and the sport of hunting, in locations such as Africa, Argentina, Canada, and all across the U.S. He enjoyed decades of duck hunting in LA, and canoeing on the Buffalo River in AR.

He is pre-deceased by his parents Ralph Ware and Joy Rankin Bourland; His wife and love of his life, Terri V. Bourland; Sister: Jane B. Johnson; In-laws: Francis and Lynda Winn Vercher.

He is survived by his sister Anne B. Loden and husband James of Van Buren Community, Itawamba, County, MS; two stepdaughters: Casey Barberousse and Aimee B. Fagan her husband Matt, children Kaylee and Emma of Madison, Mississippi; Three children from his first marriage, one of whom is Dr. Laura L. Bourland, of Johns Creek, GA; Sister-in-law Donna V. LaCour and husband Ormond, their children Madeline & Sarah of Shreveport, LA; Brother-in-law Matt Vercher and wife Lorraine of Natchitoches, LA, and his daughter Mary Mills. Numerous nieces and nephews

The family would like to thank Dr. Bart Pope for his support, as well as members of the Red Cane Hunting Club.

Visitation for Thomas Reid Bourland, 64, will be held at 10:00AM Saturday, March 11th at Auld's Funeral Home in Shreveport, LA. Msr. Carson LaCaze will lead in prayer. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom's memory may be made to the Wildlife Society, 425 Barlow Place, Suite 200; Bethesda, MD 20814, or to Mississippi State University Foundation, P.O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762