Thomas W. Brinkman

     Thomas “Tom” Brinkman, age 81, of Aiken, South Carolina passed away peacefully at his home on the morning of Saturday, April 6, 2024. Tom was born in Glandorf, Ohio on September 10, 1942 to Mildred (Kaufman) and Vincent Brinkman. The second of six children, he grew up working hard on the family farm. He graduated from Glandorf High School where he was a varsity basketball player and went on to earn a BS in Mathematics from Bowling Green State University. After graduation, he was offered a position with General Telephone & Electronics in New Philadelphia Ohio. He quickly moved up the corporate ladder at GTE and he and his first wife Norma Phillips(deceased) moved to various places in Ohio, New York, and Connecticut while raising their four children.

     Eventually, he landed in Durham, NC where he retired from GTE and met Janice, the love of his life. They married on October 8, 1988. In 1995, Tom and Janice moved to Acworth, GA where he jumped back into the telecommunications industry with both feet. He advised several start-up companies using his vast telecommunications experience and love for working with bright, driven people.

     Tom had a passion for carpentry and was always building something either at their home or cabin in Guyton, GA or for family, neighbors, or friends as he was generous with his handiwork. Tom and Janice were constantly on the go and loved to travel to new places or to spend time with their children and grandchildren. He shared his love of building things with all of them and always had a practical and memorable phrase ready for every life challenge. Each of his children and grandchildren took something away from his example that they carry with them in their lives.

     Tom faced his declining health with grace and grit, always knowing that his angel Janice was by his side. He will be mourned and missed by all who knew him.

     Tom is survived by his loving wife Janice, his children: Michael (Julie) Brinkman of Durham NC, Christine (George) Burckle of Salt Lake City, UT, Michelle (Russell) Pearson of Jacksonville FL, and Matthew (Alex) Brinkman of Salt Lake City, UT and her children: Lisa (David) Wilson, and predeceased by her son Lewis Bell. He is also survived by his brother William (Suzie) Brinkman of Glandorf OH, Mary Jo (Darrell, deceased) Neuenschwander of Coldwater, MI, sister-in-law Kathy (Alan, deceased) Brinkman, David (Nancy) Brinkman of Ottawa Ohio, and is predeceased by sister Suzanne (David, deceased) Kimmett. He has nine grandchildren: Amber, Casey, Ashley, Hillary, Dakota, Nicholas, Bradley, Megan, and Kate and 4 great grandchildren Hayden, Rylan, Braylee, Tatum.

     A visitation will be held at Shellhouse -Rivers Funeral Home, 715 East Pine Log Road in Aiken, SC on Friday, May 3rd from 2pm to 3pm followed by a memorial service at 3pm. 

     In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org).