The Rev. Dr. Thomas N. Bass, 85, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022, at his home.
He was well-known throughout the region as the “Bishop of Southeast Missouri” and served as a minister of the Presbyterian Church USA for 62 years.
Tom attended the Austin Theological Presbyterian Seminary, was ordained in 1962, and served Missouri churches in Clarkton, Parma, Cape Girardeau, Sikeston, Perryville, Marble Hill and Dexter before serving in Monroe, Iowa, for five years.
He started the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau and was pastor there two years before taking a leave from the ministry to work for Carl Penzel Construction in building Interstate 55.
He was pastor of Hunter Memorial Presbyterian Church in Sikeston, serving as scoutmaster of the Sea Scouts, and took the unit to competitions in Pensacola, Florida, and the Naval Station in the Great Lakes, often bringing home first place.
In 1995, he married Mary Lou Walters, and served the First Presbyterian Church in Perryville and Brazeau, Missouri. He retired from the ministry in 2000 and began working for the Presbyterian Children’s’ Home in Farmington, Missouri. Realizing that his love for the ministry far outweighed his love for fund-raising, he served as pulpit supply in area churches and finally in Dexter and Marble Hill. He served there for 17 years and conducted services until three weeks before his death.
Tom was an excellent cross-stitcher and enjoyed working crossword and Sudoku puzzles. He was always ready to help Mary Lou with her crafts. He loved Civil War history and loved to travel.
He was born Sept. 7, 1936, to Linus and Helen Bass in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was previously married to the late Mary Jo Ware. He and Mary Lou Bass were married July 29, 1995, in Slidell, Louisiana.
Survivors include sons, Ben (Alicia) Bass of St Louis and Darren (Kristen) Walters of Overland Park, Kansas; daughter, Kelley (Mike) Connors of Chaffee, Missouri; 11 grandchildren, Erin (Jeremy) Kilpatrick of Birmingham, Alabama, Matt (Bri) Bass of Atlanta, Kelsey (Saje) Bird and Sean Miller of Ogden, Utah, Shannon (Tim) Ryan of Las Vegas, Jared and Josh Pipkin of Nashville, Tennessee, Teague Walters of Indianapolis, and Kaitlyn, Caden and Megan Walters of Overland Park; and six great-grandchildren.
Tom was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Jo Ware; daughter, Amy (Dennis) Miller; brother, Robert Bass; and his parents.
Visitation was 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau
Funeral service was 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Steve Moody officiating. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Aug. 22 at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.
Memorial contributions may be given to Presbyterian Home in Farmington or the charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.