Early on April 20 Thomas Ripley Buran of The Villages and Auburn Hills, Michigan, passed away at hospice in The Villages. He was born on August 6, 2014 in Roseau, Minnesota. Tom was predeceased by his parents Florence and Paul Buran, and sisters Bessie Fugleberg and Donna Wondra. He lived an active life; hunting, fishing, ice hockey and baseball. As a high school senior he was part of the Roseau hockey team that won the state playoffs. His college freshman year he played hockey for the University of North Dakota. Tom then transferred to the University of Minnesota where he gave up hockey to focus on academics. In 1952 Tom married Dorothy (Dottie) Mott of Minneapolis, also a U of M student. When drafted during the Korean War, Tom was sent to Fort Monmouth, N.J for radar school where he was joined by Dottie who became a DAC for the 3 months there. Next Tom was sent to the ordinance base at Nancy, France. Dottie joined him there and became a DAC at the Joint Construction Agency in Nancy. Tom was allowed to live off base on the French economy. They traveled extensively through Europe and North Africa during that period. Once separated from the military, they returned to their studies at the University of Minnesota where Tom received a B.A. in education and M.S. in educational psychology plus 30 hours, but did not complete his thesis. Tom’s first job was director of psychological and special services in the Hammond,. Indiana school system. He also evaluated police candidates for the city of Hammond. He wrote several government grants that funded unique ways of conducting in- service continuing teacher education using presentations by several well- known authorities. In 1974 Tom became director of special services in the Birmingham, Michigan school system. In 1990 He completed his career as director of special services in the East Point, Michigan school system. Time was then split between Oro Valley, Arizona where they were involved with Seniors Achieving Growth Through Education at the University of Arizona and Michigan. After ten years they left Arizona to winter in The Villages.Florida. Although major health problems began in Tom’s 40s, and increased in frequency as he aged, he lived an active physical and cultural life with dignity. Tom was a prolific reader of history, science, biography and classic literature, and interested in current events. He had a great memory and wonderful fund of information. Jazz music was a passion. He continued to play hockey with friends until his 50s. He enjoyed activities with his three children such as skating, sledding, swimming, skiing and traveling. Summers were spent with the family visiting all 50 states and Mexico. Tom built a backyard pool, tree house, swing set, flooded surfaces for ice skating. He continued his activities with his five grandchildren Andrew, Kyle and Amy Buran and Dr. Chelsea and Dr. Harrison Fischer. Tom is survived by his wife Dottie, son Dr. Greg Buran (Paula), daughter Dr. Kathy Fischer (Dr. Curt), and Dr. Ken Buran. Memorial services will be held at a later date.
