Thomas Eugene “Tom” Doran, 73, of Oquawka, Illinois passed away at his home on August 28, 2026.

Tom was born in Burlington, Iowa, the son of Robert Kenneth and Jean Elizabeth Milligan Doran. He spent his early childhood in Kingston, Iowa, before his family moved to the Carman Illinois area, where he attended a one-room schoolhouse. He then graduated from the last class of Stronghurst High School in 1970, where he enjoyed playing football and was proud to be part of the 1969 Bi-County Championship team.

After leaving his parents’ home at the age of seventeen, Tom met and married his first wife, Christi Marie Francis Doran. Together they welcomed a daughter, Jessica. After the sudden loss of his wife, Tom devoted himself to raising his daughter.

Later, Tom met and married Diana Lynn Tate Doran on December 1, 1979, beginning a partnership that would span decades. Together, they built not only a marriage and family, but also a successful business and a life deeply rooted in their community. Diana was his wife, business partner, and companion through the many chapters of his life, and together they created a lasting legacy.

Tom often referred to his education as the “College of Hard Knox,” believing that you would never have more than you were willing to give. That philosophy shaped his entire life. He started his career changing tires at Montgomery Ward, pushing a broom at Channen’s Scrap Metal and went on to learn the heavy equipment operator trade with Marvin McCoy Construction, where he became a talented craftsman and developed a lifelong love of building and creating.

Throughout his career, Tom wore many hats. He was an independent distributor for Amway Corporation. He also worked for Pioneer Lumber Company’s Home Division in Dallas City, helped on his parents’ farm, as well as dabbled in his own farming venture, and worked nights at Mississippi Bakery. To care for his young daughter, he entered into a four year electrical apprenticeship at Burlington Northern Railroad shops, where he earned his locomotive electrician license.

After being laid off from the railroad and experiencing some difficult times, Tom decided he would be his own boss and control his own destiny. He entered the insurance business with Combined Life Insurance Company, working door-to-door in a challenging industry. Eventually, Tom and his wife started their own insurance agency in Lomax, Illinois. They later merged their business with McFall, McFall & Hilligoss Insurance Agency in Stronghurst. They worked tirelessly to purchase, build, and grow what became Doran Insurance & Services, Inc. He also had many business endeavors with his family. These ventures included starting Midwest Satellites with his brother Steve, Doran-Tate Rentals with in-laws, Otho & Pam, Tate’s Landing with in-laws, Frank & Eileen, and Carman Corner Storage Units with his son.

Tom’s clients were never simply customers; they were people he genuinely cared about. His trademark motto, “Don’t Cuss, Call Us!” reflected both his personality and his commitment to helping others. He was a respected member and leader within Pekin Life Insurance Company’s Inner Circle Club. He dedicated himself to the life insurance industry by earning his Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow designation so he could better serve his clients. He qualified for Pekin Life’s Inner Circle Club for 27 years and was nominated to serve as their President twice. He believed in protecting people and their families.

Tom’s passion for his community ran just as deep as his passion for his work. His community involvement began when he organized the Lomax Jaycees, and it continued throughout his life. He served for many years as president of the Stronghurst Booster Club, and he was instrumental in founding the Henderson County Economic Development Corporation, where he worked to secure grants, including those that helped bring VISTA to enrich Henderson County.

He served on many boards and committees, such as the Henderson County Board, the Henderson County Central Republican Committee, the Highway 34 Coalition, the Western Illinois Economic Development Authority appointed by the Governor, and spent cold nights and hot days maintaining the roads of Carman as their Road Commissioner for 27 years. Tom believed strongly in supporting local organizations and causes, generously giving his time, talents, and financial resources. He supported Ducks Unlimited, Dallas City Riverview Sportsmen, Carman United Methodist Church, Carman Community Center, and any school or sport organization that asked, including those in Alaska attended by his grandson, Lonas.

Tom was a builder in every sense of the word. He loved taking something old or forgotten and restoring it into something new and beautiful. He enjoyed searching for and collecting unique antiques, especially inkwells, ticket spindles, and bottles. He loved fast cars including their 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS 454 and his motorcycles, particularly his 1972 Kawasaki Z1 900 and his 2003 Harley-Davidson Anniversary Edition.

The Mississippi River held a special place in Tom’s heart, and some of his favorite memories were made fishing with his grandsons. But above all his accomplishments, interests, and passions, Tom’s greatest love was his family. He treasured his wife, children, grandchildren, and siblings, especially his sister, Diana. In addition, he loved all his nieces and nephews more than they will ever know.

Tom is survived by his wife; two daughters, Jessica Christine (Ryan) Booton of Stronghurst, Illinois, and Sara Elizabeth (Jesse) Atchison of Anchorage, Alaska; one son, Christopher Thomas (Lori) Doran of Carman, Illinois; four grandchildren, Corinne Christine Booton (Justin Batterton), Colby Vale Booton (Taryn Stephens), Lonas Tate Atchison, and Lily Grace Gadau; his sister, Diana (Greg) Isaacson; brother-in-laws, Otho (Pam) Tate, and Frankie (Eileen) Tate, Herb (Jacquelyn) Smith, Howard Shaw; sister-in-laws, Carolyn Sutton, Mae Dell Tate, and many nieces and nephews, He is also survived by his special friend, Dianne Lozar.

He was preceded in death by his first wife and their unborn child; parents and two brothers, Robert (Virginia) Doran and Stephen Doran; in-laws, Austin & Marietta Francis, Leslie & Jeff Roberts, Sarah & Hugh Oriano, Diana Shaw, Howard Sutton, Romane & Lois Tate, Harry Tate, Sara Tate, and Mary Ann Smith.

Tom leaves behind a legacy not only in the businesses he built together with his wife and family and the community he served, but in the lives he touched. He believed in working hard, giving back, helping others, and never being afraid to build something from the ground up. His greatest accomplishment, however, was the family and community he loved so deeply.

A family foundation is being established by his wife and children to honor his legacy. His memorials will be dedicated to the Young Entrepreneurs in the Henderson County area. The new foundation will allow people to apply for financial funds to develop and to grow businesses within the community that he loved and supported.

The family requests your attendance to honor Tom at a Celebration of Life that will be held at a later date. Banks & Beals Funeral Home of Stronghurst is assisting the family. Please visit Tom’s obituary at banksandbeals.com for more information and to leave a condolence.