Thomas D. Cairns

Thomas D. Cairns, Jr., 88 of Independence, MO passed away Mon. May 29, 2006 at John Knox Care Center. Services will be 11:00 am, Fri. Jun 2, 20006 at the Speaks Suburban Chapel with the visitation being held from 9:30 am until service time. Burial in Woodlawn Cemetery. Mr. Cairns was born on Apr. 30, 1918 to Thomas and Margaret Cairns in Independence and was a life long area resident. He owned and operated Cairns Flowers in Independence for many years and was the personal florist for President and Mrs. Truman. Mr. Cairns was a member of the Society of American Florists and the Missouri State Florists Association. He had been a member of the Independence Rotary Club since 1957 and had just received the Paul Harris Fellowship Pin. He was an Eagle Scout with troop 223 and a former youth friend at William Southern Elementary School. He was a former Board member of the Independence Chamber of Commerce, a 55-year member of the VFW and American Legion. He was an honorary member of the Truman Library Institute since it�s inception. Tommy was a graduate of the University of Missouri College Business Administration in 1943. He served as a Lieutenant in the US Navy in the pacific Theater during WWII and was a member of the Navy league. Mr. Cairns was preceded death by his wife of 51 years, Katherine Julia Cairns in 1998 and by his second wife of 6 years, Doris Justus Cairns in 2006. He is survived by stepdaughters, Gwen Bickers and husband Bob of Round Lake Beach, IL, Carol Kruel and husband Larry of Independence, MO, and Debbie Lehmann of Liberty, MO. Five step grandchildren including Amy and Kip Vance of Independence and their two children Avery and Reagan. Three nephews and their wives, Jim and Joni Gracheck of Kansas City, MO, Steve & Sandy Gracheck of La Joala, CA and Bill and Teresa of Albuquerque, NM. Several cousins, including, Tom and Donna Gibbens of Lee�s Summit, MO