Thomas Henry Burleson Jr., affectionately known as Tom or Hank, peacefully returned to the stars on September 19, 2026, after a brief illness. He was surrounded by family and nestled in nature at his beloved family lakehouse at Tims Ford Lake.

Tom was born in Oklahoma City, but called Somerset, Kentucky his childhood home. He was a lover of science and engineering at an early age, and as such, he attended Michigan State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in engineering and later went on to achieve a Master of Science in engineering from Southern Methodist University.

After being a member of the Air Force ROTC during college, Tom went on to have a 21-year career with the Air Force, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Following retirement, he continued to provide systems engineering expertise on a variety of Army contracts at Redstone Arsenal.

Being stationed in several countries throughout his military career, Tom found great joy traveling and adventuring with his family. From living in various countries to road trips around the US, he made sure to make every trip memorable, passing on his love of adventure to his kids.

Tom was a man of many talents. He gained a love of astronomy from his father, ultimately leading him to volunteer his time as a member of the Von Braun Astronomical Society in Huntsville. When not stargazing, you would often find him strumming a ukulele…many times one he built himself, or saving the day by fixing pretty much anything that his family or friends brought to him. He had a passion for camping and the outdoors and spent more than 55 years passing along his knowledge to youth as a scout master with the Boy Scouts of America and Canada.

His family will always remember him as a bright light who was generous, ingenious, and quick with a good dad joke.

He is preceded by his father, Thomas Henry Burleson Sr., and mother, Betty Jean (White) Burleson, and is survived by his wife Barbara Ann (O’Dell) Burleson, of Huntsville AL, his children Katherine Jean Burleson-LaChine of Birmingham AL, Elizabeth Ann Popkey of Durham NC, Thomas Michael Burleson of Huntsville AL, Patrick Joseph Burleson of Birmingham AL, his “bonus children” Leigh A LaChine and Ashley C Taylor and his siblings Mary Ellen Campbell of Anchorage AK, Polk Alfred (Elizabeth) Burleson of Maple Grove MN, and David Michael (Susan) Burleson of Columbus OH

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Von Braun Astronomical Society (VBAS) of Huntsville. 

The family will be receiving friends on Friday, September 25, 2026, at Berryhill Funeral Home from 2:00 to 4:00 pm immediately followed by a memorial service in the chapel, with Don Reed officiating.

Berryhill Funeral Home is assisting the family.