Thomas Burrage

Thomas Burrage, age 70, our husband, father, grandfather, and dear friend, passed away on February 8, 2017, from pancreatic cancer. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Vena and Thomas Burrage; and daughters, Camille and Delina.
He leaves behind his wife, Becky; beloved granddaughter, Layla Bartlett, his son, Dustin Hillerson, MD and his fiancée Emily Brosius and son Corrin; daughter, Kimberly Kupec, grandchildren, Caroline and Chad; daughter, Michele Powell-Thomas, grandchildren, Andrew and Lauren; daughter, Christa Collins, granddaughter, Taryn Bertetto, great-grandson, Landon. He is also survived by his sister, Ruth Breton and husband, Hamilton; nieces, Leslie, Leila, and Gayle Alvarado (Bartolo) and their children.
Tom was born on January 24, 1947 in Ft. Collins, CO. His family moved to Carlsbad, NM in 1948. When he was in fifth grade his family moved to Albuquerque. While attending high school, Tom was very involved in DeMolay, achieving the highest position Master Counselor and highest honor Chevalier. After graduating from Sandia High School in 1965, Tom served in the Navy from 1966-1972 during the Vietnam War, and the Naval Reserves until 1972. He received the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
After the Navy, Tom attended the University of New Mexico majoring in Business Administration graduating in 1973. Tom practiced as a CPA in Albuquerque since 1973. Tom held the Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) designation and the Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and is a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA). He often spoke on the subjects of family law, economic damages, forensic accounting, taxation and business valuation. Tom co-authored "Divorce and Domestic Relations Litigation: Financial Advisor's Guide" with Sandra Morgan Little, published by John Wiley and Sons, Inc. He had also authored two chapters of Nancy Fannon's "The Comprehensive Guide to Lost Profits Damages for Experts and Attorneys." He had been a contributing editor to the "Guide to Divorce Taxation and the Guide to Tax Planning for High Income Individuals," published by Practitioners Publishing Company. Tom was an Editorial Adviser to the Journal of Accountancy, Editorial Adviser to the CPA Expert and had been published in both the Journal of Accountancy and the Family Advocate. The National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts named him an Instructor of Exceptional Distinction in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants awarded him the 2007 BV/FLS Volunteer of the Year. A member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Tom chaired the organization's Forensics and Litigation Services Committee, their Family Law Task Force and had served on its Business Valuation/Forensics and Litigation Services Task Force and the Editorial Task Force. He currently sat on the organization's standard setting Forensic and Valuation Services Executive Committee. He was also a member of the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts and the New Mexico Society of CPAs. Tom was President of the New Mexico Arts and Crafts Fair for several years, and also served on the founding board for the Explora! Children's Museum, and on the board of Tricklock Theater Company.
Tom thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his beloved granddaughter Layla, and new grandson Corrin. He loved taking the RV to the northern mountains of New Mexico spending time with family and his Boston terriers Betty and Frida and granddog Jules. Blessed with a brilliant mind and a wicked sense of humor, our lives will always be incomplete without his wonderful smile and disposition. Always ready to mentor young professionals, help out a friend, or provide sound advice, Tom was an extraordinary man and will be deeply missed by many.
A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, February 20, 2017, 10:00 a.m., at FRENCH - Wyoming. Tom's cremated remains will be interred at Santa Fe National Cemetery in a private graveside service at a later date. Memorial donations may be made in Thomas's name to The Children's Grief Center, 3001 Trellis Dr NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107. https://childrensgrief.org.



FRENCH - Wyoming
7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE
(505) 823-9400