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BORN
1958
DIED
2018
Thomas Burns Obituary
Thomas Wayne Burns of Bothell passed away on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 in Seattle after a long battle with Esophageal Cancer.
A funeral mass will be held Friday,
May 4, 2018 at St. Brendan Catholic Church in Bothell with a reception to follow.
Please contact the family for more information
Tom was born September 22, 1958 in Nampa Idaho. A huge baseball fan, he pitched on the Idaho American Legion State Championship teams in 1975-76 and is a member of Nampa High Sports Hall of Fame. He also played baseball for the College of Southern Idaho and earned a Business degree from City University.
In 1979, Tom moved to Seattle to start a long and successful career at Boeing. First a QA inspector, he moved into multiple IT roles in the 80's and 90's and ended his career as a Vice President for the International Support Services organization.
In 2005, Tom had a wild idea for patenting a new product that would improve your coffee experience and "seal it tight, keep it hot" which led to the founding of StixToGo in 2006. Over the past 12 years, Tom grew StixToGo from an innovative idea to the industry standard that brings you the cool "stopper stixs" you get at your favorite coffee shops around the world.
He often said that his Stix idea was amazing but his daughter Alexandra and son Jordan were his greatest achievements. Being self employed gave him the "best years of his life" to spend close to home helping to "grow them" as he grew the business and the family.
Tom will be missed deeply by all who knew and loved him. He collected friends everywhere he went and always had a story for each one of them. He was generous with his time, money, advice, experience, and opinions; as well as a terrible driver and a fearless leader in everything he attempted from Boeing to Baseball to Boy Scouts to StixToGo.
He loved to have fun and to throw great parties. Tom was known to show up as a Superhero, Tigger or a Marshmallow Peep on Halloween or any other time the occasion called for it. Throughout his life he remained a devoted fan of the SF Giants, Seattle Mariners and the UW Huskies as well as any and every sport team his wife and children participated in.
Tom is survived by his wife of 29 years Julia Walters-Burns, daughter Alex, and son Jordan. He is also survived by siblings Jayne (George) Burnett, Chuck (Ami) Burns, Laurie (Andy) McCluskey, and Martin (Lisa)Burns; several nieces, nephews, cousins, several in-laws and many, many friends around the world. He was predeceased by his parents Bob and Helen Laurene (Novis) Burns.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Academy of Precision Learning http://www.aplschool.org/ ; Autism Speaks www.autismspeaks.com or Ronald McDonald House https://www.rmhcseattle.org/
Also, next time you buy a hot beverage, don't forget to take a StixToGo Stopper Stix! You know you need one!
Sign Tom's on-line
Guest Book at www.Legacy.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Burns
Sponsored by The Family.
Darrell Blegen
April 5, 2025
I worked with Tom at Boeing on INCA software for the 777. He was an amazing leader and taught me so much about teams and how to treat people. I just learned of his passing and wanted to share my sympathies.
April 25, 2019
To the Family:
Hold on tight to your memories for comfort, lean on your friends for strength, and remember the love between you and your loved one.
Janice
March 11, 2019
Julia, I just heard the news almost a year later, but still...I was Tom' secretary back in the 80's Main and Grady. We had an awesome workforce back then and Tom was an awesome understanding boss. The good ol'days Tom, Bob West, Lynda H., Roy Ryan, Jim, Rosie Todd, DeLynn, Melonie, Bob Urban etc... to all that respected and were a part of his life at one point or another... we all know he gave faith and joy to our jobs, to all of us. To Tom a man who supported his employees. My sencere condolences.
Pam Mach
June 4, 2018
Hi Julia and family:
My condolences to you. I remember your family from Scouts and enjoyed getting to know you, Tom and Jordan a bit. I admired your and Tom's dedication to your kids and the community, and it sounds like he had a wide, positive impact on many.
Bob Urban
May 11, 2018
I was so deeply saddened to hear of Tom's passing. Tom was an exceptional person, a fantastic boss and a good friend who made a significant difference in so many people's lives; especially mine. He will be dearly missed. I wish you peace, comfort and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts. Bob Urban
Kirk Laughlin, Academy for Precision Learning
May 7, 2018
On behalf of the staff members, volunteers and families of Academy for Precision Learning, please accept our heartfelt condolences. He was such a great man. The legacy of his kindness and his caring nature will live on at the school forever.
John Daley
May 3, 2018
Please accept our sincere condolences. Tom was a kind and thoughtful man, and we will miss him.
Your neighbors,
John and Craig
Theresa Squibb
May 3, 2018
To Tom"s Family So very sorry to hear this news ,prayers that the memories and God"s peace will hold and keep you all. I have many great memories of Tom from high school. May God bless yo all Theresa White Squibb
Teri Belle
May 1, 2018
Tom is at peace, but we are all mourning the loss.., To Laurie, Chuck, Jane,& Martin and the entire family - I love you all! You are an incredible family & and I'm thankful to know you!
To Amy.......you KNOW what I'm saying, girl
To Laurie- can we do 6am at gym rather than 5?????
XO to the Burns family!
Suzan Sturholm- Gamba
April 30, 2018
Julia, Sending you and everyone in your family a huge hug and lots and lots of prayers. Although I did not know Tom well, I remember sitting with the two of you when we were baptism hostesses together, and Tom was always there to help us get that Easter candle down to light the candles from. He was always easy to talk with, great sense of humor, and so supportive of you. My heart goes out to you, Alex and Jordan.
Cathy Stone-Freericks
April 30, 2018
I knew Tom in grade and middle school in Nampa ID and then was fortunate to get reacquainted at our recent 40th year reunion. What a special man and dear childhood friend.
John Childress
April 30, 2018
Tom was an inspiring leader. To me he was always a bit larger than life. He had an infectious joy in everything he did, and the people he worked with as well. I was fortunate enough to work for him for a short time, to be encouraged and inspired by him, and to benefit from his generous gifts of camaraderie and advice.
My heart goes out to Julia and his children. You will feel this most deeply. We share your grief, and at the same time we rejoice in having been touched by his life.
April 30, 2018
Dear Julia, Alex and Jordan: I am so sorry for your loss. Tom was the nicest guy I have ever done business with and the only thing I regret is that I never met him in person. We had a connection beyond the stix business and I will miss him. May he rest in peace. Martin Biewener, Australia
Peggy Sturm, RN
April 30, 2018
Dear Julia, Alex, and Jordan: l can't believe this news and I am so sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed having a chat with him and in the early Fall at the post office I was able to catch up on your family news which I have always enjoyed following. I will be praying for you all at this hard time and again I am so very sorry. Nurse Peggy
Terry and Donna Bowman
April 30, 2018
Julia, so sorry to read about TOMs struggle with such a demoralizing disease. Know that Donna and I are keeping you and your family in our thoughts. We will be out of town on May 4 or we would attend his memorial service.
Lynda Hotchkiss
April 30, 2018
Dear Julie, Alex and Jordan. I am so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. I worked with him beginning in the 80's eventually leading to DCAC/MRM where all of us lost some hair. He was a special friend, we had many trips together to Wichita and shared many laughs. Living in Eastern Washington made my times in the Seattle area less, but every time I drove through Bothell I thought of you all With tears my friend Tom, you will be missed.
Lynda Hotchkiss
April 30, 2018
Julia, Alex and Jordan. I am so sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of Tom, there was never a quiet moment always humor and laughter no matter the challenge at work. My he Rest In Peace. Michele Martin.
April 30, 2018
May Almighty God and his son Jesus Christ bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. John 17:3
Becky Spence
April 29, 2018
So sorry to hear about Toms passing. Almost 29 years ago Tom took the time to review my rather sparse resume and hired me for a job in Boeing IT where I still work today. I didnt work for him long as he was climbing the ranks, but I am forever thankful for my career start. My Dad also worked with him as an inspector in Renton. I will look for a Stopper Stix and remember him fondly.
John Vandenberg
April 29, 2018
Julia, Alex, and Jordan. I still can't believe it. I am so sorry for your loss. Tom was a great guy and I always enjoyed having a chat or laugh with him. We'll be praying for you guys.
John Vandenberg
April 29, 2018
Julia, Alex, and Jordan: I still can't believe it. I am so sorry for your loss. Tom was a great guy. I always enjoyed having a chat and a laugh with him. We will be praying for you guys.
Michael McCloskey
April 29, 2018
I miss my trips with Tom to the University of Idaho for Dads Weekend with our daughters. Tom driving saved me at least an hour each way:-). He was such a great friend to all of us!
Eileen Swinford
April 29, 2018
Dear Julia, Alex and Jordan: It saddens me so to hear of Tom's passing. His kindheartedness, generosity, and cheerfulness will be missed by all those privileged to know him, myself included. Praying that God will hold you close, comforting and sustaining you in the days ahead. Sending hugs.
Steve Feller
April 29, 2018
To Julia and all of Tom's family: My deepest condolences. I worked with Tom quite a bit at Boeing in the 90s ("DCAC/MRM") and considered him a mentor and good friend. I recall running into he and his kids one time when they were heading out on a vacation at the same time as my wife and I. Tom was clearly very proud of Alexandra and Jordan and he spent the entire time talking about their accomplishments! So sorry he has left us.
Susan Hurley
April 29, 2018
Julia - I am so very very sorry to hear of Tom's passing. Please know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Much love and let me know if there is anything I can do for you. xo Susan Hurley
April 29, 2018
My deepest sympathy goes out to Tom's family. May God wrap his arms around each of you and give you comfort at this time.
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