Thomas Eldon "Thom" Burns

THOMAS "Thom" ELDON BURNS, 79, of Fort Wayne went to join his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

He was born in Ft Wayne to the late Eldon and Virginia (Thomas) Burns on Sept. 1, 1946. A 1964 North Side graduate, Thom earned his BFA from Indiana University and the Fort Wayne Art Institute. He proudly served his country during the Vietnam War in the U.S. Navy aboard U.S.S. Sylvania. He loved the Lord Jesus Christ and spent his life following Him and sharing the good news with those he met. Leading people to Christ and praying for those in need brought him his greatest joy.

He married Marcia K. Sievers on May 4, 1968, and took great pride in their 57 years of marriage and in raising their four sons. Thom worked for New York Life from 1973 to1980. He and his wife began taxidermy work in 1968, going full time in 1980. Considered one of the best taxidermists, he won many state and national awards. Never wanting to retire, he continued his passion as a wildlife artist until 2018. He often said he never worked a day in his life, because what he did brought him such joy!

He loved his family deeply and devoted his life to giving them his very best. He loved his wife so very much; he fished with her, worked with her, and prayed with her daily. "What a LOVE we shared!" He carried a joyful spirit, was quick to laugh, and welcomed everyone as a friend. He was a great storyteller of hunting and fishing tales.

Thom had a lifelong love of sports, from water skiing and scuba diving on Lake James to snorkeling in Cuba, Hawaii, and Mexico among dolphins and parrot fish. He cherished time spent hunting, fishing, and simply being outdoors.

In 1982, he founded the Association of Indiana Taxidermists and served as its president. He also served as president of the Northeast Indiana Trout Association. In 1983, he revamped Tokheim Bass Club and started the Old Fort Basscasters, serving as president for more than 35 years. Thom enjoyed the competition, camaraderie, and the joy of fishing until 2019. In 1989, he finished 8th in state, earning a place on the Indiana State Bass Team, which competed in Brainerd, MN. In 1993, he finished 3rd in the state, securing his second State Team appearance and competing in Fort Madison, IA.

His hunting life was filled with numerous achievements. He shot the first snow goose at Pigeon River Fish and Wildlife Area and the first bearded hen turkey recorded in Allen County. Thom also holds the Allen County record for the largest typical whitetail deer taken with a bow. He was an exceptional marksman, once shooting a deer from 225 yards and on another occasion a mule deer in Wyoming from 425 yards. He even brought down, in a single shot, a pair of Canadian geese banded with consecutive numbers – something he saw as one of many extraordinary moments in his life. Through it all, he gave God the praise, beginning every hunt with a prayer before stepping into the field or upon the water.

Surviving are his wife, Marcia; sons Thomas "Jef" (Mary), Timothi (Heather), Joshua (Alisha "Allie") of NY, Jonathan (Stephanie) of OR; grandkids Amanda (Jake) McCastle, Brittney (Talon) Fritch, Zacheri Thomas Burns, Payton Burns, Christopher Eldon (Alexis) Burns, Elise and Claybourne Burns of OR; great-granddaughter Elizabeth Rose Shadle; sister Patricia (Manuel) Paitan; brothers Paul (Joan) Burns and Jim Burns; sister-in-law Gayle Burns.

Thom was preceded in death by his father, mother, and brother, David L. Burns.

The family extends its gratitude to the exceptional caregivers, over the years, at the V.A. and Lutheran Hospital staff - especially, the nurses, therapists, and Dr. Akhras, who oversaw his care in the final days.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Covington Memorial from 1:00 to 3:00pm. The funeral service will begin at 3:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Fort Wayne Rescue Mission or Turnstone in Thom's memory.