McHENRY, Ill. — Thomas Blair Stubblefield, 66, of McHenry, Ill. died Sunday, March 14, 2010 of ALS, at his
home surrounded by his loving wife and sons. He fought this disease bravely for approximately five years.
Tom was born May 8, 1943, in Aurora, Ill. to the late Earle and Minnie (Blair) Stubblefield. On November 17,
1973, he married Captain Virginia “Ginny” Chura at the former Castle AFB, CA where they were both Air
Force Officers.
Tom attended Young and Bardwell grammar schools in Aurora. The family built a new home in Oswego
where he completed junior and senior high school. While in high school and college, he worked. at
Paramount Heights Grocery store in Montgomery. He loved working with people and enjoyed when he could
be of help especially to the elderly and handicapped.
He graduated from Northern Illinois University and worked as an accountant in Rockford for one year prior to
enlisting in the Air Force. Upon completing Basic Training, he was accepted into an OTS Class, After OTS,
he served as an Electronic Warfare Officer and flight instructor in the B-52 Aircraft. His many assignments
included Mather AFB, CA; Minot AFB, ND, temporary duty in Guam and flying over Vietnam; Castle AFB, CA;
Kunsan AB, Korea; Carswell AFB, TX; Barksdale AFB, LA and Blytheville AFB, AR retiring in 1988.
Following his Air Force retirement, he taught at Blytheville Community College and Marian Central Catholic
High School but his most cherished job was “Mr. Mom” to his sons while the family traveled until Ginny’s
retirement in 1996 at Incirlik AB, Turkey.
Tom’s schooling never ended. He completed an MBA from Golden Gate University and a Master of Arts in
Community Leadership/Adult Christian Community Development from Regis University. He was also enrolled
in Carmelite Studies through the Washington Theological Union until he became too ill to continue.
A convert to Catholicism, he loved Religious studies and studied at Creighton University and Texas Christian
university. In 1994, he was professed as a Third Order Carmelite. He served as Director of Lay Community,
as a Regional Coordinator, and as a member of the Lay board of the Washington Theological Union. Very
involved in Parish work, he served on Parish and financial Councils at many Air Force Bases and taught
religious education.
Until his illness became too debilitating, he was a member of T.O.P.S; the local astronomy club; VFW Post #
4600; and a Third Degree Knights of Columbus.
In addition to loving Jesus and his family, he was an avid gardener, loved telling jokes, and enjoyed shopping
for cowboy hats and watches while traveling. For many years, the family enjoyed camping throughout the US
but had a special “love” for Rapid City, SD. In 2008, Tom and Ginny traveled to 19 states and Canada
visiting family and friends including the couple. Rick and Yvonne Field, who introduced them in California. On
their “first” date Tom took Ginny to the Calaveras County Frog Jumping Contest in California. He had a great
sense of humor.
He is survived by: his wife; sons, Nathaniel (Johanna) of Chicago and Jeremy of Dallas, Texas;
granddaughters, Sophia and Stella of Chicago; his only sibling, Robert “Bob” (Sharon) of Delavan; his
mother-in-law Stella Chura of Stanley; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Carmelite Missions, 8501 Bailey Road, Darien, IL 60561-
8418 and/or the Les Turner ALS Foundation, 5550 West Touhy Avenue, Skokie, IL 60077-3254.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Colonial Funeral Home, 591 Ridgeview Dr., McHenry, Ill.
where Carmelite Rosary will be recited at 3 p.m. 815-385-0063
Visitation will also be Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Plombon Funeral Home in Stanley and will continue Saturday
from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home. 715-644-5537.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary of Czestochowa Church in Stanley followed by
burial in the parish cemetery.
home surrounded by his loving wife and sons. He fought this disease bravely for approximately five years.
Tom was born May 8, 1943, in Aurora, Ill. to the late Earle and Minnie (Blair) Stubblefield. On November 17,
1973, he married Captain Virginia “Ginny” Chura at the former Castle AFB, CA where they were both Air
Force Officers.
Tom attended Young and Bardwell grammar schools in Aurora. The family built a new home in Oswego
where he completed junior and senior high school. While in high school and college, he worked. at
Paramount Heights Grocery store in Montgomery. He loved working with people and enjoyed when he could
be of help especially to the elderly and handicapped.
He graduated from Northern Illinois University and worked as an accountant in Rockford for one year prior to
enlisting in the Air Force. Upon completing Basic Training, he was accepted into an OTS Class, After OTS,
he served as an Electronic Warfare Officer and flight instructor in the B-52 Aircraft. His many assignments
included Mather AFB, CA; Minot AFB, ND, temporary duty in Guam and flying over Vietnam; Castle AFB, CA;
Kunsan AB, Korea; Carswell AFB, TX; Barksdale AFB, LA and Blytheville AFB, AR retiring in 1988.
Following his Air Force retirement, he taught at Blytheville Community College and Marian Central Catholic
High School but his most cherished job was “Mr. Mom” to his sons while the family traveled until Ginny’s
retirement in 1996 at Incirlik AB, Turkey.
Tom’s schooling never ended. He completed an MBA from Golden Gate University and a Master of Arts in
Community Leadership/Adult Christian Community Development from Regis University. He was also enrolled
in Carmelite Studies through the Washington Theological Union until he became too ill to continue.
A convert to Catholicism, he loved Religious studies and studied at Creighton University and Texas Christian
university. In 1994, he was professed as a Third Order Carmelite. He served as Director of Lay Community,
as a Regional Coordinator, and as a member of the Lay board of the Washington Theological Union. Very
involved in Parish work, he served on Parish and financial Councils at many Air Force Bases and taught
religious education.
Until his illness became too debilitating, he was a member of T.O.P.S; the local astronomy club; VFW Post #
4600; and a Third Degree Knights of Columbus.
In addition to loving Jesus and his family, he was an avid gardener, loved telling jokes, and enjoyed shopping
for cowboy hats and watches while traveling. For many years, the family enjoyed camping throughout the US
but had a special “love” for Rapid City, SD. In 2008, Tom and Ginny traveled to 19 states and Canada
visiting family and friends including the couple. Rick and Yvonne Field, who introduced them in California. On
their “first” date Tom took Ginny to the Calaveras County Frog Jumping Contest in California. He had a great
sense of humor.
He is survived by: his wife; sons, Nathaniel (Johanna) of Chicago and Jeremy of Dallas, Texas;
granddaughters, Sophia and Stella of Chicago; his only sibling, Robert “Bob” (Sharon) of Delavan; his
mother-in-law Stella Chura of Stanley; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Carmelite Missions, 8501 Bailey Road, Darien, IL 60561-
8418 and/or the Les Turner ALS Foundation, 5550 West Touhy Avenue, Skokie, IL 60077-3254.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Colonial Funeral Home, 591 Ridgeview Dr., McHenry, Ill.
where Carmelite Rosary will be recited at 3 p.m. 815-385-0063
Visitation will also be Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Plombon Funeral Home in Stanley and will continue Saturday
from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home. 715-644-5537.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary of Czestochowa Church in Stanley followed by
burial in the parish cemetery.
