Thomas Francis Bamford

SHAMOKIN     ---  Thomas Francis Bamford, 81, of 515 E. Dewart St., passed away at 10:25 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in his residence, surrounded by his loving family.   Born on March 14, 1940, he was the last surviving child of the late Melvin and Blanche (Price) Bamford.

Tom graduated from Shamokin High School in 1958 and enjoyed planning the class reunions, which he loved to attend.  He was drafted into the U.S. Army and proudly served for Company B, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry from August 1963 to August 1965.  He was stationed in Germany with fellow veterans Andy, whom he still spoke to regularly, and Edmund who he reminisced with until Ed’s passing earlier this year.  When he came back to the U.S., he was summoned to Indian Town Gap to teach the new recruits how to fix radios like he did in Germany.

Tom worked construction with Everett Inc., where he always pointed out his favorite projects of the Washingtonville Towers and the Sunbury Fabridam.  He also helped putting a roof on the addition of Shroyer’s Dress Factory on Rock St.   Tom was the best cook in town at Harry’s Grill for nearly 50 years until he finally retired at the age of 74. He was well known around the area for his pizza specialty and the Frisco Fantasy.  He enjoyed coffee with friends Jack, Malcom, Palmer, and brothers Corky and Dan.

Tom was a life member of the Independence Hose Company.  For many years, Tom and his fellow members donated blood to the American Red Cross Organization. He also enjoyed playing cards at the Elks, Pastime Club, Redman Club, and Eckman’s Bar.  Tom attended The First United Methodist Church where he served as a Trustee, usher, and became the “Sound Man”.

On August 19, 1973, he married Jean (Shroyer), daughter to the late Lawton and Leotta (Schrader) Shroyer.  Along with his wife Jeannie, he is survived by his beloved daughters, Connie (Bamford) Boyer and her husband, Thomas, Laura (Bamford) Herman and her husband, Eric, two grandsons Vincent and Joseph Herman, and his two favorite dogs, Corky B and Dallas.

An avid reader of the News Item, Tom would complete the daily crosswords and jumbles.  Every day he would open to the Obituaries and say, “Well, I’m not in there today.”  His sense of humor was well known by everyone.  Even after finding his obit, we are sure he is looking for the paper in Heaven to still do the crosswords and Jumble.

Tom walked to work at Harry’s Grill every day for fifty years, which many have mentioned seeing him walk through town. Throughout his life, he always looked forward to the annual Bamford Reunions where he spent the day with many members of the Bamford clan. During his retirement, Tom enjoyed preparing church pork chop dinners with his trusty helpers, making his famous filling, listening to his grandson’s stories, having coffee/reading the paper on the deck sunbathing, being the foreman of yardwork, watching old cowboy movies and cop shows with his wife many times over…holding the remote.

Tom was raised with six brothers and two sisters who preceded him in death, Robert, John, William, and his wife Carol, David, James, Daniel, Carol Eckman and her husband Bob, Shirley Stark, and her husband Robert, and a brother-in-law David Shroyer.  Two sisters, Betty and Mildred passed in childhood.   Surviving sisters-in-law include Susan Kushner and her husband Edward, Christine Griffiths, and her husband Ray “Red”, Doris Bamford, Marie Bamford, Terrie Bamford, Nancy Bamford, and in addition many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The last few years he was under the medical care of Dr. Wayne Miller and Dr. Songdej of Penn State Hershey Cancer Center and their staffs.  He was fortunate to have a nurse for a niece, Tracey (Bamford) Bixler who provided great support at GSACH.

Tom is now safe and well in the hands of God!

FUNERAL NOTICE

Thomas Bamford, 81, of 515 E Dewart Street, Shamokin – Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 4th, 2021, at 12:00 PM in the First United Methodist Church, 100 E. Sunbury St. Shamokin, with Reverend Alicia Julia-Stanley, officiating.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the time of service. Arrangements are being cared for by Farrow-C.J. Lucas Funeral and Cremation Service 240 W Chestnut Street, Shamokin, Lori Ann Campbell, Supervisor.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First United Methodist Church, 100 E. Sunbury St. Shamokin, PA, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 3 International Drive Suite 200, Rye Brook, NY 10573, or Penn State Cancer Institute Office of University Development, 1249 Cocoa Ave. Suite 115 PO Box 852, Hershey, PA 17033-0852. To send condolences to the family please visit www.farrowfh.com