Thomas L. Burch, Sr.

Thomas Leon Burch, Sr., age 99, of Columbiana, Alabama, passed away Wednesday, August 26, 2026. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama on March 3, 1927 to the late Ellen Culpepper Burch and Homer Lionel Burch.

The Ensley High School graduate was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII. He was employed 38 years with U.S. Steel, retiring as a roll turner, and he worked later at Long-Lewis Ford. He was a member of the Hoover, Alabama Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Burch cherished his marriage of 77 and one-half years to his loving wife, Peggy Sykes Burch, and he was proud of their children's and grandchildren's many accomplishments. Among his other passions in life was his ardent support for Crimson Tide Football.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Burch was preceded in death by one son, Stephen Bruce Burch; three brothers, Gerald, Caris, and Edsell Burch; and three sisters, Ruth Denson, Merrill Powell, and Patricia Painter. He is survived by his wife, Peggy; their two children, Jenny Merkl (Tim) and Thomas Burch, Jr. (Nancy); grandchildren, Thomas Burch, III, Amy Burch, Timothy Merkl (Kathy), Lorie McBride (Matt), and John Merkl (Abby); and great-grandchildren, Jack, Carolyn, Connor, Emilia, Sarah Kathryn, Jacob, and Zoey Merkl, and Colin, Claire, and Vivian McBride.

The gravesite committal service will be Monday, September 7, 2026 at 10:15 a.m. at Alabama National Cemetery, 3133 Highway 119, Montevallo, AL 35115.