Thomas ‘Tom’ Lynn Espelien
Thomas ‘Tom’ Lynn
Espelien
June 21, 1957 • January 25, 2024
Thomas (Tom) Lynn Espelien, 66, of Bailey, NC (formerly of Starbuck) passed away peacefully at his home January 25, 2024 after several years of medical issues.
Per Tom’s wishes, he will be buried at West Zion Lutheran Church rural Hancock where he attended Sunday School and was confirmed. Everyone is welcome to attend the graveside service to be held Saturday, June 8 at 11 a.m. and Celebration of Life at Starbuck VFW from 1-4.
Tom was born June 21, 1957 and grew up on a farm south of Starbuck loving the outdoors. He graduated from Starbuck High School in 1975.
While in high school, he began working for Richard Lundebrek Construction using heavy machine equipment. He continued for many years after graduation for Richard and other companies in the area. He eventually moved to Texas where he continued to do the same type of work. This led to employment with a sewer/water treatment plant company who traveled through the southern and east coast states installing treatments plants.
When the sewer/water treatment company was in Wilson, NC, he loved the area and decided to make it his home for the last 30 years. He started his own company using his heavy machine equipment tearing down old tobacco barns, building streets and traveling to other states to help with hurricane clean up where needed. With trees taken down from his tree trimming business he had started approximately 20 years ago, rough planks were made that he used to build his own house on property he purchased by Bailey, NC. For the last 10 years, he owned a stump grinding business which he operated with help until the time of his death.
He enjoyed his dog Noel, many friends, hunting, fishing, gardening, raising cattle, and other outdoor life without the cold Midwest winters.
Tom is survived by his siblings: Steve Espelien, Julie Nygren and Cindy Espelien, nephew Ethan Hawkins-Espelien. He is preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Orla (Lundebrek) Espelien.
