Thomas F. “T.O.” O’Rourke

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Thomas F. “T.O.” O’Rourke, of Petersburg, went to his heavenly home on Sunday surrounded by family.

 

He was born Dec. 16, 1925, to the late Thomas F. O’Rourke Sr. and Grace Pearl (Robling) O’Rourke. He graduated from Petersburg High School in 1943. He served in World War II in the 20th Army Air Force and was stationed in Guam as an airplane mechanic. He married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Anna V (Sims) O’Rourke and she preceded him in death. They were happily married for 53 years. Also preceding him in death was a brother, Ben Runyan, and a sister, Colleen (O’Rourke) Church.
He served Petersburg as mayor for 20 years. He was a Mason and Shriner. He was a championship Little League coach for the “Red and White Team.” He was a member of the Petersburg United Methodist Church. He was a carpenter and built many homes in Petersburg. He was also a real estate agent, insurance agent and owner of Budget Mini Storage. His hobbies included fishing, watching races, restoring juke boxes, traveling and anything Anna V wanted to do.
He is survived by his son, Timothy (Trisha) O’Rourke of Bedford and Robert (Carole) O’Rourke of Petersburg; four grandchildren, Dr. Shanna (Chris) Bowman of Indianapolis, Kyla (Eric) Kaltenbach of Denver, Colorado, Shawn (Laura) O’Rourke and Kelsey (Barry) Strong of Petersburg; and seven great-grandchildren, Nora and Foster Bowman, Eleanor Kaltenbach, Nolan and Alton O’Rourke and Aurora and Alistair Strong.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and from 1 p.m. until the time of service at 2 p.m. Saturday at Harris Funeral Home, Petersburg, with Pastor Paul Newton officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Hills Cemetery in Petersburg.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Petersburg Little League.