Thomas “Tom” J. Duesbury was born on September 15, 1954, in Marshalltown, to Thomas Sr. and Charlotte (Dee) Duesbury. He graduated from Pleasant Hill School in Marshalltown. He worked at Mid Iowa Workshop for 15 years and later the Career Development Center. Until his recent illness, Tom worked at REM. He had many close friends, both at work and in the CIRSI group homes. Tom especially enjoyed keeping up with his nieces, nephews and their families. He loved to get together with family for birthdays and holidays. Tom enjoyed writing letters to family and had an Australian pen pal. The highlight of his year was always his week at church camp, which included miniature golf, boating, games, new and old friends and Bible lessons. Tom was a member of the Center Street Baptist Church and the REM Bell Choir. He participated in the activities of ARC. Tom liked to bowl and participated in Special Olympics. He was a big Iowa Hawkeye fan. John Wayne was his cowboy hero. He enjoyed cross stitch, latch hook, puzzles and had an extensive keychain collection.

Tom will be missed by his siblings: Alva (Jane) Smith, of Marshalltown, Charlene (Terry) Dirks, of Marshalltown, Eva May (Ron) Renaud, of Kansas City, MO; his nieces and nephews: Iva (Michael) Ragsdale, of Shawnee, KS, Trina (Daryn) Ottenbreit, of Duffield, Alberta, Canada, Tim Smith, of Fort Dodge, IA, Daniel (Elisabeth) Smith, of Oskaloosa, IA, Jeremiah (Jodi) Smith, of Tama, IA, Andrew (Elizabeth) Smith, of Montello, WI; 17 great nieces and nephews and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Marie Smith; a nephew, Joel Smith and a great nephew in infancy, Collin Smith.