Thomas Syme Doerflinger was born on July 11, 1998 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He was the beloved son of Bryan and Carolyn Doerflinger. Thomas graduated from Fort Osage High School in 2016. He dreamed of being a police officer, and had plans to begin that career by attending the police academy later this year. To pursue his dream, he became a detention officer for the city of Independence, Missouri. He quickly became a well-liked member of the IPD family.
Thomas adored superheroes and comics, specifically Batman, going to the movies and laughing with his many friends. He was a protector to his three siblings Ashtyn, Caleb, and Ben, and loved spending time with family, going on vacations, watching football, playing basketball with his brothers, and enjoying family dinners. He was a loyal friend and had the biggest heart. He had a smile that lit up the room and was a friend to everyone. He was an avid Chief’s fan. Thomas loved Jesus, and he trusted Him and walked with Him. His family takes comfort in knowing that they will reunite with him one day. He loved his mother and father, siblings, and family. He fiercely loved his daughter, Eleanor, who was the light of his life.
On Friday, February 24, Thomas suffered an unexpected heart attack after battling an autoimmune disease for several years. Despite the resuscitation efforts of the emergency team at St. Mary’s Medical Center, he passed and entered the gates of Heaven. He loved to help other people, and even in his death he continued to help others by being an organ donor.
Thomas was preceded in death by his grandfather Thomas Syme. He is survived by his mother and father, his sister Ashtyn and her fiancé Lucas, brother Caleb, brother Benjamin, daughter Eleanor and wife Mackenzie, grandparents Elray and Ginger Doerflinger, grandmother Peggy Wanamaker, uncle and aunt John and Mary Syme, aunt Michelle Thomas, and cousins. He is mourned by his family, detention and police family, many friends, and church community.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 1st 5:00pm-7:00pm and funeral services will begin at 10:00am on Thursday, March 2nd, 2023. Both will be hosted by The Gathering Baptist Church at Plaza Heights in Blue Springs, Missouri. Interment will be at the Royer New Salem Cemetery in Independence, Missouri immediately following services on Thursday.
Obituary submitted by family
Arrangements: Royer’s New Salem, Independence, MO 816-796-8600
Roger A Miller
27 Feb 2023Bryan and carolyn and family, you and your family are in mine and Linda’s prayers and will be praying for comfort and strength for the days to come I didn’t know Thomas but I know he will be missed by all who knew him especially his grandma and grandpa deorflinger as they talked about him often just know he is with the Lord and is doing lord’s work until you see him again
Ginny McTighe
28 Feb 2023Our condolences. You are all in our prayers.
Dan Krout
28 Feb 2023Phil. 1: 21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Our choir often sings the following Anthem, the text drawing from Phil. 1:21.
(This is also a hymn text in The Lutheran Hymnal, TLH 527.)
Lord, It Belongs Not To My Care arrangement by Carl Schalk
Lord, it belongs not to my care whether I die or live;
To love and serve Thee is my share, and this Thy grace must give.
If life be long, I will be glad that I may long obey;
If short, yet why should I be sad to soar to endless day.
Christ leads us through no darker rooms than He went through before;
He that unto God’s kingdom comes must enter by this door.
Come, Lord, when grace has made me meet Thy blessed face to see;
For if Thy work on earth be sweet, what will Thy glory be?
My knowledge of that life is small, the eye of faith is dim;
But ’tis enough that Christ knows all, and I shall be with Him.
Peggy Stokes
1 Mar 2023So very sorry for your loss. May you feel the loving arms of God holding you as you grieve.
Diane Goldsworthy
2 Mar 2023I am so sorry to hear of your son’s passing. You and your family are in my prayers.