J. Tom Burbrink

J. Tom Burbrink-proud Grandpa, loving father, devoted husband, and most importantly a devoted servant to The Lord Jesus-was welcomed home on the snowy morning of January 10th, 2025. A proud Hoosier throughout his life, he was born Jan 17, 1939, to Emmett and Mildred Burbrink, in Seymour, Indiana where he lived throughout his childhood with his brother Bill. The family relocated to Plainfield around 1954, and with this move he found himself in a new school with new friends and one in particular-a lovely local by the name of Nancy Orrell Stanley-captured his heart and held it for 64 wonderful years before she left this world to save him a seat in January of 2023. As a young couple, Tom and Nancy built a home and life together in the golden age of America-they bought homes, changed jobs, and even found themselves in California briefly as Tom used his God-given gift for numbers in the world of sales. However, upon returning east Tom had a revelation that would shape his life, the life of his family, and countless others that came to know Christ through his ministry. Tom felt the call to ministry, and together with Nancy they prayed for guidance as he sought a new home in which he could study and learn. Thus, in 1972, Tom and Nancy moved their family to Grayson to attend what was then called Kentucky Christian College. Despite his new devotion to ministry his love of numbers was lost to him, and after spending a semester at school he was quickly recruited to serve the Kingdom while working in the office of business in finance and advancement. He also found the time during this era to serve as a weekend/interim minister for Speedwell Christian Church (Richmond, KY) and then Station Camp Christian Church (Irvine, KY) By 1997, the Lord made it clear that it was time to step into his first full time ministry, and he served as the faithful (and notoriously succinct) minister of Antioch Christian Church in Mt Sterling KY until 2004. Despite all of this, Tom also had the wherewithal to realize an important need that existed in the world of ministry-a role to which he was uniquely poised to fulfill. He began preparing Tax returns for ministers in the late 70's, and while faithfully serving in all of the roles above his genial manner, sharp mind, and focus on Christ helped him to build not one, but two separate ministry-focused tax preparation and accounting businesses-Burbrink Tax Service (which he sold in '97) and then again Burbrink Financial Services (which began in 2004 and operates to this day under his daughter). As Tom and Nancy's golden years approached, they moved back to Grayson in 2005 and spent their retirement years serving at Oak Grove Church of Christ (where Tom was an elder) while enjoying the nearly endless number of family gatherings, partiers, and holiday celebrations. Tom continued to work part time up until 2023, and when not working he enjoyed sudoku, reading (both the Bible and John Gresham), travelling with family, and above all spending day-in and day-out with the love of his life, Nancy. Tom was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years Nancy Burbrink, one son Joe Burbrink, one grandchild Clarice Nancy Everman, his brother Bill Burbrink and countless friends, classmates, and other loved ones and family members. In his final days on this side of heaven, he was surrounded by the family and legacy that he and Nancy built together-- two daughters, Susan (Curt) Everman and Karen (Keith) Isaacs. One adopted son, Mark Helmick. Grandchildren, Caleb (Phoebe) Everman, Rebekah Skaggs, Kelli (Jeremy) Keller, Kasey (Abby) Isaacs. Great-Grandchildren Izack Messer and Kady Skaggs, Gabe and Emily Everman, and Anne Elise, Ella, Jude and Seth Keller. He is also survived by a multitude of other family including grandchildren Dwain Everman, Andrea (Charley) Mayo, Marissa Caudill, David Burbrink and Jeffrey Burbrink, members of the class of 1957 from Plainfield High School, and the congregations of the myriads of churches in which he served an attended, the most recent of which being the Oak Grove Church of Christ. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday at Malone Funeral Home with Bro. Donald Damron, minister. The visitation will be Tuesday, 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Malone Funeral Home. Memorial contributions should be made to Community Hospice, 1480 Carter Ave., Ashland, KY 41101. To leave the family a condolence or memory, please visit www.malonfuneralhome.com. Matthew 25:23