Tom Stirek

Tom Stirek was born on March 4, 1962, in Red Oak, Iowa, to his parents Louis Stirek Sr. and Irene (Novak) Stirek. He grew up west of Griswold and graduated from Griswold High School in 1980.

During high school and a few years after, Tom worked for the local grain elevator in Griswold and worked at SkyJack in Atlantic. He became an experienced truck driver working for Atlantic Carriers, BulkMatic, Ruan Transportation in MN and lastly back to Atlantic Carriers after moving back to Iowa.

During his career with Ruan Transportation, he received the Driver of the Year award for his region in 2016. In May of 2024, Tom received the “Gold Standard Driver” award from Atlantic Carriers.

Tom had a reputation for being very particular about all the vehicles he drove and maintained high cleanliness both at work and home. He was well known for keeping his truck and trailer clean as he was proud to represent the companies he worked for.

He was a fan of NASCAR with Dale Earnhart and Jimmy Johnson being his favorites, the Iowa Hawkeyes and NFL football. He loved watching movies, playing games, going to rock and roll concerts, especially Nickleback, listening to country music, hunting, fishing and spending time with his family and friends whenever he could. He loved spending time with his fur babies, Lily and Rascal.

Tom is survived by his siblings, Lou and June Stirek of Bella Vista, AR, Jim Stirek of Atlantic, IA, Joyce Enfield of Atlantic, IA, Rod and Peggy Foote of Santa Rosa, CA, Deb and Eldon Ernst of Adair, IA, and Tina Cavin, his special friend of Rogers, MN, several nieces and nephews along with many friends who were like family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, paternal and maternal grandparents, brother, Jerry Stirek and brother-in-law, Melvin Enfield.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic, with Reverend Gary DeGeest officiating. Burial will follow at the Atlantic Cemetery in Atlantic. A luncheon will be held in the Schmidt Family Funeral Home community room following the burial.

Visitation with the family will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorial Contributions may be directed to the family for future designation and can be sent in care of Schmidt Family Funeral Home to P.O. Box 523 Atlantic, IA 50022.

The Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic is caring for the Stirek Family at this time.