Thomas Edwin Dempsey, 84, of Herculaneum died Nov. 23, 2019, in Festus. Mr. Dempsey was a Central Missouri University graduate and earned a master’s degree in education. He was a teacher for the Potosi School District from 1957 to 1968 and then the principal for the Dunklin R-5 School District’s Pevely Elementary School from 1968-1990. He was a member of the Missouri State Teachers Association and the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, where he served as an elder for many years. He loved children, and he enjoyed leatherworking, camping, gardening, working on cars, watching westerns and spending time with family.
Born Dec. 3, 1934, in Potosi, he was the son of the late Thomas Alexander and Earlene (Lucas) Dempsey.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years: Maudena (Strange) Dempsey of Herculaneum; three daughters: Christine Recar of Pevely, Kathleen Conklin-Smith of Herculaneum and Marlene (Estel) Walker of Burlington, Iowa; a son-in-law: Paul Recar; a brother: Dr. Herbert (Linda) Dempsey of Lee’s Summit; two sisters: Janie (Dr. Robert) Dickerson of Rome, Ga., and Sally (Robert) Hornsey of Mineral Point; 12 grandchildren: Heather Douglas, Danielle Limpert, Eddie McKenzie, Brittanie Burgess, Katie Phenix, Gabriel Conklin, Savannah Walker, Michael Conklin, Kathryn Conklin, Brandon Stanka, Geoff Stringer and Paul Stringer; seven great-grandchildren: Connor, Kenzie, Rylee, Briella, Bryson, Maelyn and Gracen.
He was preceded in death by a grandson: Jamin Recar.
Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, at Mahn Twin City Chapel, 515 Collins Drive, in Festus. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Pevely. Arrangements are under the direction of Mahn Funeral Home.