Obituary of Tommy Joe Bonard

Tommy Joe Bonard, 83, of Linn Creek, Missouri, passed away November 6, 2018, after a long and courageous battle with lung disease, surrounded by his family at the University of Iowa Hospital.

Tommy was born April 30, 1935, in Fulton, Missouri, as the son of the late William Burt Bonard and Christena Miller Bonard. He spent his life spreading love and laughter to anyone who had the pleasure to know him.

Tommy proudly served in the United States Army as a Military Police Officer, then later retired from the City of Fulton after 30 years of service. He loved spending time with his family; his cats, Missy, Toady, and Skeeter, hunting, fishing, country music, and old westerns. I doubt there was an episode of Gunsmoke, Bonanza, or The Rifleman that he hadn't watched over and over. In the 70's he formed a band called Tom Bonard and the Western Swingers, of which he was the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist. After retirement, Tommy and his beloved wife, Nancy, moved to the Lake of the Ozarks to pursue their love of hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed his daily trips to town for a couple of scratch-off lottery tickets. You would be hard pressed to find someone luckier.

Tommy has now been reunited with the love of his life, his wife of 60 years, Nancy Lee Bonard, his daughter, Beverly Ann Bonard; his parents, William and Christena Bonard; three sisters, Grace Ethel Tharp, Helen Bonard McPherson, and Mary Katherine Payne; three brothers, John William Bonard, Woodrow Bonard, and Morris Bonard.

Tommy will be dearly missed by his two daughters; Tonnettee Alderson (Thomas) of Montreal, and Tanya Kilborn (Carl) of Linn Creek; his son, Terry Bonard of Fulton; six grandchildren, Natasha Salmons (Ryan), Taylor Ash (Travis), Angela Alderson (Tommy Atkisson) , Breanna Alderson (Nicholas Reed), Kyle Bonard, and Angel Bonard; four great-grandchildren, Zane Hewitt Salmons, Lacee Mae Ash, Harper Ryann Salmons, and Emerson Quinn Salmons; his niece, Sandra Fritz (Ronald); three nephews, Larry Bonard (Carol), Danny Bonard (Charley), and Kenny Evans, as well as many close friends.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Tommy had a love for animals; from the deer, squirrels, birds, and raccoons he fed from his home to his many cats throughout the years. Memorial donations may be made to an animal shelter of your choice in his memory.