Thomas Edward Gilroy

Thomas E. Gilroy of Weiner, Arkansas passed away on January 21, 2026, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Tom was born June 15,1944 in Spalding, Nebraska to Alvin and Dolores Rutledge Gilroy. He grew up on their family crop and livestock farm southwest of Spalding. He attended a rural grade school. Tom was active in sports and graduated from Spalding High School in 1962. He then graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture. He was a member of the Alpha Theta Chi Fraternity. He graduated from the University of Missouri with a Master of Science Degree in Agronomy. Tom then served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam and received an Honorable Discharge. He continued his higher education receiving a PhD in Human Genetics from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

Tom lived in California and created Genetic Profiles Corporation that provided genetic research services, which had an AABB Certificate of Accreditation. He later moved to Weiner, Arkansas and reconnected with Elise Berger. They were together for many years until her passing. He worked with Eagle Seeds, a specialized seed company in Weiner. Tom formed Biomedical Molecular Research Foundation, Inc. in Arkansas to continue his research work.

Tom is survived by nieces: Julie Masters of West Plains, MO; Linda Beach of West Plains, MO; Nephews: Colin (Heather Burke) McGuire of Kittery, ME; Brian (Tara Jensen) McGuire of Lincoln, NE and numerous cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Betty Gilroy Amm of Colorado Springs, CO, sister Kathy Gilroy McGuire of Lincoln, NE and aunts and uncles.

On Friday March 6 at 11:30am, a Memorial Mass for Tom will be performed by Father Lawrence Vadakkan at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Spalding, Nebraska.

Graveside services, and military honors will be performed at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at Birdeye, Arkansas in the coming months at a date TBD