Tom C. Thoma

Thomas C. Thoma, 74, of Mason City, IA, died on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N Pennsylvania Ave. with Rev. Dan Gerrietts officiating. Visitation will be held from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Inurnment will be held in Elmwood St.-Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family of Thomas Thoma.

Thomas Conrad Thoma was born on December 17, 1948, in Mason City to parents Carter and Helen (Ellis) Thoma. He graduated from Mason City High School in 1967, Mason City Junior College in 1969, and Drake University in 1971. He was a loyal Mohawk, Trojan, and Bulldog, as well as a fan of the New York Yankees and his beloved Green Bay Packers.

While at NIACC, he was instrumental in the establishment of the school newspaper, LOGOS. He was inducted into the NIACC Hall of Fame in 2016. Tom joined the staff of the Globe Gazette in 1971, as a reporter where he worked until 2017. During his tenure at the Globe, he served as city editor, sports editor, business editor, and opinion editor. As the Globe entered the world of online journalism, he launched the DOT.TOM column.

Tom was an accomplished drummer, and performed in various combos, including the Hob Mason Quartet at the Chart House. He also was a longtime member of the Mason City Municipal Band. As a member of The Mason City Community Theatre, he directed “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and portrayed Marcellus Washburn in “The Music Man.”

After Tom left the Globe, he ran for and was elected to an at-large seat on the Mason City Council in 2017. He was re-elected to a second term in 2021. Tom was a long-time volunteer at the Historic Surf Ballroom and Museum and was a fan of a wide variety of musical genres.

He was very active in the community, serving on a number of boards, including Visit Mason City and the Salvation Army.

Tom is survived by his nephews, Jay (Rosa) Cordle, Chad (Sandy) Cordle; niece, Julie Samuels; great-niece, Isabella Samuels; great-nephews, Benjamin, and Christopher Cordle; cousin, Becky (Randy) Becker and numerous other cousins. He is also survived by his Surf Ballroom and Globe Gazette families, as well as anyone who had the privilege to know him. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carter and Helen Thoma; his sister, Jeanne Cordle and brother-in-law, Roland Cordle.