Thomas "Tom" Earl Burdette

Kingston, TN.

Thomas “Tom” Earl Burdette, age 78, passed away peacefully at his home in Kingston, Tennessee on January 17, 2025, reunited with his beloved wife whom he had deeply missed

 Tom was a wonderful husband, father, uncle, and adored all his grandchildren and great grandchildren beyond measure. He was born on June 27, 1946, in Norton, Virginia. He received a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Virginia Tech (VT) in Blacksburg, Virginia and was a dedicated VT Hokie. He had over 30 years’ experience in the nuclear and quality assurance fields, including serving as a civilian with the U.S. Department of Navy as Manager of Nuclear Quality Assurance and Chief Test Engineer. He also led and mentored others in roles at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Tennessee Valley Authority, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), and Strata-G, where he worked at a variety of nuclear power plants and Department of Energy (DOE) facilities.

Tom strongly believed in the importance of quality in his work, served as a role model to many, and instilled the values of hard work and dedication, which have been passed down to his great-grandchildren. In his free time, he enjoyed bowling, golf, cheering on the VT Hokies in all sports, and lake days spent on the boat with his family. He frequently sent pictures of royal flushes from casino trips to his family. He could also be found in the mornings making pancakes and waffles for his grandchildren. Above all else, he was deeply devoted to his family, providing an unwavering source of love, strength, and stability that will remain forever etched in their hearts.

He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty years, Margaret Jean (Anderson) Burdette and his parents, Earl William and Helen Virginia Burdette, as well as his father-in-law (Stephen Bethel Anderson), mother-in-law (Catherine Annaflo Anderson), brothers-in-law (Stephen Bethel Anderson Jr. and Gerald Nathan Anderson), and sisters-in-law (Patricia Ann Sexton and Barbara Adams Anderson).

Tom is survived by his daughter Mary Helen Hudson (Harold) and son Thomas Scott Burdette (Anna Whitworth), as well as grandchildren Kayla Marie Phillips (Jacob), Andrew Kevin Dean, Sadie Rose Burdette, Brody Scott Burdette, Lily Jean Burdette, Broderick Mathis Hudson, Kaitlynn Elizabeth Hudson, Josie Desiree Hudson, and Kennedy Reese Whitworth. He also has three great grandchildren, Hunter Jacob Phillips, Amelia Lynn Dean, and Hayden Thomas Phillips. He is survived by brother-in-law Ronald Sexton and sister-in-law Barbara Anderson Carter (Tom), as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

The family is so appreciative of the many wonderful nurses and healthcare workers who took amazing care of him during his battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Graveside services will be held Friday, January 24, 2025 at 2 p.m. at Anderson Hill Cemetery, 315 Porter Road, Troutdale, Va 24378 with his nephew and niece, Micah and Melissa Caronna officiating.

 In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in memory of Thomas Earl Burdette. https://give.michaeljfox.org/give/421686/#!/donation/checkout

 To share memories of Thomas “Tom” Earl Burdette, please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Tom has been entrusted to Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Funeral Service & Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion VA 24354.