Thomas J. "Tom" Urban

December 1, 1962 - December 15, 2020

Thomas (Tom) Urban, 58, of Central City, died December 15, 2020 at St Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln, NE. A public visitation will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2020 from 2-4 p.m. at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City. Private family services will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later time. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral.com. Tom was born in Fremont, Nebraska on December 1st, 1962, to Arthur and Elma June (Neal) Urban, the eldest of two siblings, Tom grew up on his family’s farm near Chambers. Tom graduated from Chambers High School and attended University of South Dakota, Springfield. Tom married his high school sweetheart, Dawn in 1981. The couple moved from Lincoln to Grand Island in 1990 so that Tom could manage a newly-opened branch for Weathercraft Roofing Co. They moved to Central City in 1996. In 2006, Urban started Tri-City Group Roofing Company, where he worked tirelessly to build his company and provide for his family and employees. He loved taking care of people, especially family and friends, Nebraska football, and spending time with his family at Sherman Reservoir, pulling wake boarders behind his boat. Tom spent as much time as possible with his grandkids, leading outings to watch Nebraska games, going to the lake, and making several trips to Detroit to spend time with his grandchild there. Tom was known by most for his quick wit. He loved to joke and make people laugh, especially in a large room of people. Those that knew him best remark upon his selflessness. He strived to live out his faith in several ways. He and his wife became adoptive parents in 1994, and foster parents soon after. In 25 of years of fostering and adopting, the family had over 12 different children that they cared for. Tom also gave freely of his time by volunteering in the community. At various times Tom coached baseball in Central City and Grand Island, softball in Central City, and football at Nebraska Christian High School. He donated large amounts of time, material, and labor to both Nebraska Christian High School, were his children attended, and to the State Theater Historical Preservation in Central City. He was also an AWANA leader for many years at First Baptist Church of Cairo and Community Bible Church in Central City. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Dawn (Garwood) Urban of Central City, sons: Jay (Lizzie) of Cleveland, OH, Caleb of Platte Center, Kevin of Grand Island, Darien of Central City, daughter: Holly (Tyson) of Monroe, brother: Arthur Jr. of Archer, grandchildren: Jordan, Shane, Brock, Aiden, Raeleigh, Kendalyn, Annorah. Dawn and Tom were also the permanent guardian of Delno Pedersen. He was preceded in death by his own parents, almost exactly 20 years ago (December 23rd, 2000) and by a daughter, “Annie” Shalonda MarieAnne in 2001.