Thomas J. Locklar, 82, of Albany, Missouri, passed away Saturday, April 27, 2019 at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Tom was born June 25, 1936 in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Loren and Beatrice (Richter) Locklar.  He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Gloria Lee Woods and Joann Harrison.

He was united in marriage to Gertrude (Trudy) Korb on May 15, 1959.

Survivors: his wife, Trudy of the home; children, Marion (Barry) Collins, Ravenwood, MO; Michelle (Ronnie) Lininger, New Hampton; Tom (Jayne) Locklar II, Wasilla, Alaska; Gina (Paul) Edwards, Whiteman Air Force Base, MO; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

A veteran of the Vietnam and Cold Wars, Tom retired from the United States Air Force in 1975 after a distinguished 20-year career. During his career, he held various duties including missile maintenance on Titan ICBMs during the most tense periods of the Cold War, and crew chief on the mighty B-52 Stratofortress. He launched B-52's from Guam as part of the famous Linebacker II operation against North Vietnam. He left a legacy of military service, with two children, one grandchild, and one great-grandchild following in his footsteps.

Tom was a member of the St. Peter's Catholic Church in Stanberry.

Funeral Service: 10:00 AM Saturday, May 4 at the Roberson-Polley Chapel, Albany.  Burial with Military Rites will be in the St. Columba Cemetery, Conception, Missouri.  The family will receive friends 6:30 – 8:00 PM Friday evening at the chapel, where friends may call anytime after 2:00 PM on Friday.  Memorial Contributions:  Northwest Missouri Medical Center Foundation in care of the Roberson-Polley Chapel, 403 N. Hundley, Albany, MO  64402. Online condolences: www.robersonpolleychapel.com