IN MEMORIAM: Thomas Hulme ‘55
The Rev. Canon Thomas Stanford Hulme, Class of 1955, of Iowa City died Saturday afternoon, December 4, 2021, surrounded by his family and close friends.
The funeral will be held at 2 PM, January 2, 2022 at Trinity Episcopal Church, Iowa City, with The Rt. Rev. Alan Scarfe, presiding. The service will be live-streamed at www.trinityic.org/thomas-hulme. Prior reservations must be made to attend in person. This may be done through the above website or by calling the church at 319-337-3333.
Ordained at 25, Hulme was an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Iowa throughout his adult life. He retired from active ministry at age 90. From 1955 through 1968 he served churches in Boone, Perry, and Cedar Rapids. In 1968 he moved with his family to Iowa City, earning a master’s in social work in 1970. During and after graduate school he continued to answer the call of the priesthood, serving as an Assistant Rector at Trinity Episcopal from 1968 – 1971, board member for numerous charities, and a bridge ministry for numerous Episcopal churches in Eastern and Central Iowa.
He also had a distinguished career as Director of Community Services for the Iowa Child Health Specialty Clinics from 1973 until his retirement from the State of Iowa in 1991. He was the author of several scholarly papers in the field of Child Health and Development and made dozens of presentations over his decades of service to the State of Iowa. Hulme was extremely active on nonprofit boards and committees, serving the Family Services Association; the Iowa Chapter of the National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse; the Changing Family Conference (1972-1991); and many others.
Hulme graduated from University High School in 1948; the University of Iowa in 1952 (BA, History); General Seminary in 1955 (MDiv); and the University of Iowa in 1970 (MSW). He was married to Annis C. Hulme from 1949-1976. They have five children.
Hulme’s career, in fact, his life, was devoted to service. He took very seriously the twin commands to love God and your neighbor (Matthew 22:37). In his 65-year ministry he touched thousands of lives: preaching, teaching, and ministering selflessly to everyone who needed him. He served the Lord his entire life with gladness and singleness of heart, touching thousands of lives, providing guidance, support, and solace to all. His kindness and generosity will be greatly missed by everyone who had the good fortune to know him. “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!”
He is survived by his beloved wife Jean, his brother Steven (GTS Class of 1955, also an Episcopal priest), a large family and a legion of friends. His family includes his four daughters: Sara Hulme (Michael Hardy) of Pittsboro, NC; Emily Mellecker (Patrick), Janis Russell (Rip), and Mary Hulme, all of Iowa City; son Stephen Hulme (Gloria) of Raleigh, NC; stepsons Nicholas Mills (Amy) of Dearborn and St John Mills (Gina) of Phoenix.
Following his path, Hulme’s son Stephen and grand-daughter Joey are both 2010 graduates of The Duke Divinity School. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Helen Hulme, by his brother George, and sister Sarah Jane.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Trinity, to Episcopal Relief and Development, or to The Heifer Project. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Lensing Funeral and Cremation Services. Condolences can be written at the Lensing website.