Thomas Lee Center, 77
Thomas “Tom” Lee Center, 77, August 2, 1948, went to be with The Lord on July 31, 2026, in the comfort of his home in Kirbyville, MO, surrounded by his loved ones, following a 5 year+ battle with Agent Orange-related bladder cancer.
Tom was born in Berkeley, CA. His family moved to Riverside, CA, where he graduated from Rubidoux High School, in 1966. Following this graduation, Tom managed to talk his mother into signing him up for the Navy, at just 17 years old, during the Vietnam War. He was a crew member of the Mobile Riverine Force, Tango 91-4.
When Tom returned home, he began civilian life by graduating from the Police Academy, and serving as a police officer for the Orange Police Dept. When asked to volunteer at a local high school, sharing his knowledge of how to “Serve and Protect”, Tom discovered his connection to teenagers, especially troubled teens. This spurred his decision to get his BA from California Baptist University and began his high school teaching career.
In 1983, Tom came to another crossroads in his life and made the decision to reenter military service by joining the Army. While stationed at Ft. Huachuca, AZ, Tom retired from the Army and held many positions in various positions. He was a High School Teacher of every subject except for English. He taught the GED curriculum to the inmates of the Arizona State Prison Complex – Douglas, AZ. He served as a Child Protective Services Officer in the state of Arizona. In 2000, Tom and his wife moved to Branson, MO, to be closer to the grandkids. He concluded his paid career as the Explosive Magazine Keeper for Explosive Contractors, Inc., Hollister, MO.
Tom was a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Branson Veterans of America 913, among many other veteran organizations. He
deeply enjoyed his volunteer service with Elevate Branson, and Bloom Church as a Small Group leader.
Stained glass was one of Tom’s passions and productive hobbies, along with being a published writer with his book “The Crossroads Diaries; A 19 Year Old’s Vietnam Journey”. Tom hosted a podcast of “The Crossroads Diaries” through his beloved radio station, KRZK Legends 106.3.
Tom received a beautiful healing of the PTSD he suffered from for many decades, thanks to the College of the Ozarks’ Patriotic Travel Program that took him back to Vietnam, in 2016. Thus, the completion of his book. Tom was a great champion of the school for its patriotic programs, and its commitment to Christian values.
Tom was preceded in death by his father, William “Bill” Center; his mother, Thelma (Ammons) Center; only brother, John Center; and step-granddaughter, Angel Good.
Survived by wife, Sandra “Sandy” Center; nephew, James “Jim” Center, his wife Kelly, and their two children Will and Grace; niece, Olivia Center; Step-son, Timothy “Tim” Good, his wife Pam and two sons; step-daughter, Kimberly “Kim” Braden, her husband Todd, their three sons and daughter-in-law; step-daughter, Cheryl Clark, her husband James “Jimmy” Clark, Jr., her three children, son-in-law, and two grandsons; step-daughter, Shawna Good, her two children, son-in-law, and two grandchildren; along with several close cousins and family relations through the Center & Ammons family lines.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on August 22, 2026, on the College of the Ozarks campus at Williams Memorial Chapel, 237 Christian St., Point Lookout, MO. Visitation is at 1:00 pm, with a full Military Honors service beginning at 1:30pm. The family invites attendees to a
refreshment reception at the College of the Ozarks Welcome Center immediately following.
This is a true celebration. Tom loved his country and his Hawaiian shirts, so the family requests everyone wear their tropical prints, veteran decorations, and/or patriotic colors.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the College of the Ozarks in memory of Thomas Center. All donations in memory of Tom will go towards the school’s Patriotic Education Fund.
Option 1 – Give Online by Card 1. Visit the following website www.cofo.edu/Donate
2. Fill in the required information including: amount, payment details, name, email, phone, and address.
3. In the last box labeled Comments please fill in with in memory of Thomas Center
4. Then click Submit Donation
Option 2 – Give by Check or Cash
1. Please make out the check to College of the Ozarks
2. Write on the memo line or include a separate note that says in memory of Thomas Center
3. Mail to this address: College of the Ozarks, Attn: Development Office, P. O. Box 17, Point Lookout, MO 6572
