Joel Thompson “Tom” Severinghaus, 81, of Carl Junction, MO died January 12, 2014, in Joplin, MO.
He was born December 23, 1932 in Gainesville, GA; his parents were Josephine and Nelson Severinghaus. He grew up in rural Georgia with his parents and brother Nelson “Ben.” Tom attended Lithonia High School and Georgia Tech (B.S. and M.S. in Industrial Management), where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity.
On August 16, 1958, he married Barbara Lois Northey. During his 35 year career with AT&T they moved eight times, until retirement in Minneapolis. He had a second career in townhouse management for ten years, and was active in the Community Associations Institute. Tom and Barbara moved to Carl Junction, MO in 2009 to be near their daughter. He liked doing things with his hands where he could see the results: building a TV from a kit, repairs, caning chairs, tying fishing flies, making a canoe from a kit. Tom enjoyed family, friends, traveling, cruises, and sunsets. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Joplin, Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of Confederate Veterans, and Kiwanis. He started a Neighborhood Watch for his area in Carl Junction.
Tom is survived by his wife Barbara of Carl Junction; daughter Lisa Knutzen of Carl Junction and her children Jason of Los Angeles, Laura of New York City, Elisabeth of Dallas, TX, and Scott of Palo Alto, CA; son Joel and wife Beverly Westra of Des Moines, IA; son Robert, his wife Christina, and their children Lukas and Noah of Mount Clemens, MI; sister-in-law Virginia Severinghaus, niece Jody, and four cousins. He was preceded in death by his brother Ben and son-in-law Jeff Knutzen.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Joplin at 10:30 on Saturday January 18. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 304, Chicago, IL 60611-3201 or to the charity of your choice.
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