Thomas Shea

Thomas Shea, 73, of Gothenburg, NE passed away on June 22, 2023. Thomas was born to Earl and Sylvia (Joines) Shea in Lexington, NE on October 4th, 1949. He grew up in Oconto, NE where he attended grade school and graduated from Oconto High School. After high school, he attended Wayne State College for two years before moving to Cozad and then Lexington. In 1971 he moved to Gothenburg where he resided until his passing. 

In 1971, Thomas began working at Paulsens Building and Supply and continued his employment there until 1974 when he started working for Baker and Associates in Scottsbluff for two years. In 1976, he formed his own Concrete Construction Company which provided services until Tom's retirement in 2016. His career spanned a total of fifty years providing service to the Gothenburg community and surrounding areas.

Thomas married Lois Ann Buss on March 14th, 1996 in Las Vegas NV. Together they raised one son named Matthew Thomas Shea who currently resides in Omaha. Tom had several hobbies that included hunting pheasant based out of South Dakota and elk hunting with trips to Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. He also enjoyed trapshooting which led him to become a lifetime member of the Amateur Trapshooting Association where he organized and coached the Gothenburg Trap team for eleven years starting in the year of his marriage.

Thomas cherished spending time with his family but was always willing to lend an understanding ear whether it was as a friend or companion to anyone near him either within work or personal life.

Thomas is survived by his son Matthew; three brothers: Robert (Madonna) Shea of Alexandria VA., James "Tweet" Shea of Holdrege NE., Bill Shea of Fremont NE.; three sisters: Lisa (George) Hendricksen of Cozad NE., Amy Oxford of Broken Bow NE., Sally (Paul) Schumaker of Omaha NE.; and sister-in-law, Jolene Shea of Galt, CA, Cindy (Dan) Finnegan of Cozad, NE, and brother in law Tim (Kim) Buss of Cozad, NE along with many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends

He is preceded in death by his wife Lois, his parents Earl and Sylvia Shea, brother Jerry Shea and father-in-law Elvin Buss and mother-in-law Imogene Buss.

Thomas touched the hearts of everyone he met with his charm and kindness that radiated from deep within him. His profound personality will be missed by all who knew him.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Wednesday, June 28, 2023 from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm with the family present from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

Funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church, Thursday June 29,2023 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Grace Gichuru officiating.

Inurnment will be in the Gothenburg Cemetery at a later date. 

Memorials may be given to the American Lung Association, Gothenburg Trap Team, or Central Plains Home Health and Hospice.