On June 6, 1970, Tom married the love of his life, Darcy A. (Ball), McBride and they were blessed to have celebrated over 56 years of marriage. Together, they raised their three sons, Benjamin (Stephenie) of Norfolk, NE, Thatcher (Eva, Henry, and Jack) of Grand Island, NE, and Eli (Tracy) of Lincoln. They also thoroughly enjoyed and loved their grandchildren, Cheyenne, Carson (Hannah), Kynlee, Caliana, and Adalyn, and great-grandson, Colson McBride.
Tom served in the U.S. Military for 22 years (both the Air Force and the Army National Guard) and was a Veteran of both the Vietnam War (1970-71) and the Persian Gulf War (1991), and was a Purple Heart recipient. Tom served as the Executive Director/C.E.O. of Epworth Village for 20 years until he retired in 2013. He continued to passionately advocate for juvenile mental health and juvenile justice long after his retirement. Tom had a knack for working with children with special needs and his family can long attest to the fact that Tom always had an innate ability to communicate with anyone he met. Tom received many recognitions and honors both professionally and within the community.
He is also survived by his mother, Donna (McBride) Caricaburu, brother, Richard McBride, brother, Jerry (Mayra) McBride, sister, Jana (Mike) McBride-Stoner, brother-in-law, Dwight York, sister-in-law, Rhonda Ball, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Tom was preceded in death by his father, J.H. (Mac) McBride; his in-laws, Rodney and Joyce Ball; his sister-in-law, Robyn York; his brother-in-law, Todd Ball; his step-father, John Caricaburu, and numerous other friends and loved ones.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on October 15, 2026, at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church (8550 Pioneers Blvd, Lincoln, NE 68520). A celebration of life gathering will be held one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the following charitable organizations close to Tom’s heart: Cedars Youth Services, Nebraska Department of Military Order of Purple Heart, or to the family for designation at a later date.