Thomas G. Van Etten

In Loving Memory of Thomas G. Van Etten
February 16, 1959 – August 31, 2025

With heavy hearts and deep love, we share that our beloved Father Thomas G. Van Etten, 66, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 31, 2025, with his family by his side.

Born in Queens, New York, on February 16, 1959, Tom was the son of the late Raymond and Marylin (nee Bergold) Van Etten. From the start, he lived with a fierce love for family, a strong sense of duty, and an unwavering faith.

Tom was many things to many people - a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather, and a friend. But no matter how you knew him, you knew this: Tom was the kind of person who showed up. He gave his time, his heart, and his strength without hesitation.

He proudly served as a firefighter for many years, earning the respect and admiration of his fellow brothers and sisters in service. He was a man of courage and conviction, not just at the firehouse but in every part of his life. Tom believed in helping people - whether it meant running into a burning building or sitting quietly beside someone who just needed to talk.

Tom's greatest pride, though, was his family. He was a devoted husband to his soulmate, Maureen "Moe" Van Etten, with whom he shared over 48 beautiful years. They built a life full of laughter, love, and the kind of memories that live on forever. We find comfort knowing they are now reunited, along with their daughter Jolene Turpin, his sister Loretta Van Etten, and his grandson Michael Rose III.

To know Tom was to be loved deeply - and probably to laugh. His sense of humor, his warm hugs, his protective nature, and his words of wisdom (or teasing!) were unforgettable.

He leaves behind a family who adored him:
His children - Crystal Cobb (Mike), Michael Rose Jr. (Kristi), Chad Rose (Stephani), and Raymond Van Etten (Jason) - all of Myrtle Beach and Little River, SC.
His grandchildren - Tiffany, Tara, Holly, Marley, Lincoln, Winter, Logan, Ireland, Jovan, and Jayson.
And his great-grandchildren - C-Jay, Micaylee, Aiden, Zyair, Kaitlynn, Emilia, Naomi, and Talea - who lit up his world.

He also leaves his siblings: Raymond Van Etten (Terry), Robert Van Etten (Debbie), George Van Etten (Melanie), and Dianne Foster (Jim), as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and his tight-knit fire department family - all of whom he loved fiercely.

Tom found peace in the Lord and strength in his faith, even through life's toughest storms. He taught us all how to love big, serve others, and stay strong - even when it's hard.

We'll carry his memory in our hearts always - in the smell of campfire smoke, the sound of a hearty laugh, and in every act of kindness we pass along in his name.

Rest easy, Dad. We've got it from here.

A Funeral Service in Celebration of Tom's life will be held 1PM on Friday September 5, 2025 at Burroughs Funeral Home, 3558 Old Kings Highway, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576. The family will gather to greet friends from 11AM until service time. A graveside service will be conducted at Ocean Woods Memorial Cemetery, 2504 S Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, immediately following the service.

At the request of the family, please consider memorial contributions in lieu of flowers. Donations may be made to the Arthritis Foundation at, 1355 Peachtree St NE Suite 600 Atlanta, GA 30309 or at www.arthritis.org or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105 or at www.stjude.org

To view these details online or to offer words of comfort through the online guestbook, kindly visit the funeral home website at, www.burroughsfh.com

Burroughs Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Murrells Inlet, (843.651.1440) is honored to be assisting the family.