Services
Obituary
Tom Blecker, 78, of Clarion and formerly of Des Moines, passed away on the morning of Sunday, May 10, 2026, after years of health battles.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at Blissful Moments, 2323 Highway 3 in Clarion. Please join us to share stories, laughter, and memories of the good times you shared with Tom.
Tom was born and raised in Clarion in 1948 to Robert and Marjorie (Paul) Blecker. Although life took him to different places over the years, Des Moines is where he called home. In 1980, Tom married his wife, Kathy. They shared 28 happy years together until her passing in 2009, years that remained close to his heart.
If you ever met Tom, one of the first things you likely heard was, “So, where are you from?” He had a genuine love for people and an easy way of turning strangers into friends. Tom spoke in his own kind of shorthand, often giving out nicknames and phrases that only he could fully explain. Many of those nicknames, and the friendships that followed, stayed for life.
That same warmth carried into his work and passions. Much of Tom’s career was spent as a music producer, promoter and booking agent, eventually leading him to start his own business, Blecker Productions where he worked for 30 years putting on countless shows. In 2011, his dedication was honored with induction into the Iowa Rock ’n’ Roll Music Association Hall of Fame. Music from the ’60s and ’70s was his happy place, and he took great pride in producing shows for artists he had once listened to on the radio. He will be remembered cruising around town with the music on, cellphone in hand, calling family and friends just to check in. Some of his favorite memories were made traveling to California and time spent in Okoboji aboard “the cruiser” Showbiz, surrounded by the people he loved most.
Tom is survived by his daughter, Barbra (Sean) Cavanaugh; his sister, Nancy (Tom) Erickson; his grandchildren, Henry and Emilia Cavanaugh; along with nieces, nephews, and many dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathy Blecker; his sister, Becky Womack; his brother, Tim Oldham; his mother, Marjorie Blecker; and his father, Robert Blecker.
Tom will be remembered for his love of music, his gift for connecting with people, his storytelling, and the many connections he made along the way.