Rev. Dr. Thomas Neal Bass

Rev. Dr. Thomas N Bass, 85, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri died Wednesday, August 10, 2022 at his residence. 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. Rev. Bass attended the Austin Theological Presbyterian Seminary, was ordained in 1962, and served churches in Clarkton, Parma, Cape Girardeau, Sikeston, Perryville, Marble Hill and Dexter, Missouri before serving in Monroe, Iowa for five years. He started the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau and was pastor there for 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, FL, 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, MO. He retired from the ministry in 2000 and began working for the Presbyterian Children's' Home in Farmington, MO. 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 and was always ready to help Mary Lou with her crafts. He loved Civil War history and loved to travel. He was born September 7, 1936 to Linus and Helen Bass in Shreveport, LA. He was previously married to the late Mary Jo Ware. He and Mary Lou Bass were married on July 29, 1995, in Slidell, LA. Survivors include sons; Ben (Alicia ) Bass of St Louis, MO, Darren (Kristen ) Walters of Overland Park, KS; Daughter, Kelley (Mike) Connors of Chaffee, MO; Eleven grandchildren; Erin (Jeremy ) Kilpatrick of Birmingham, AL, Matt (Bri) Bass of Atlanta, GA, Kelsey (Saje) Bird, and Sean Miller of Ogden, UT, Shannon (Tim) Ryan of Las Vegas, NV, Jared and Josh Pipkin of Nashville, TN, Teague Walters of Indianapolis, IN, Kaitlyn, Caden, and Megan Walters of Overland Park, KS; and six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife Mary Jo Ware; Daughter, Amy (Dennis) Miller; Brother, Robert Bass; and his parents. Visitation will be 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel in Cape Girardeau Funeral Service will be at 4:00 pm Sunday, August 14, 2022 at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel in Cape Girardeau with the Rev. Steve Moody officiating Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau August 22, 2022 at 11:00 am. Memorial contributions may be given to Presbyterian Home in Farmington, MO or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com. Ford & Sons Funeral Home - Mt. Auburn is in charge of arrangements.

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Rev. Dr. Thomas Neal Bass

September 7, 1936 - August 10, 2022