John Thomas

Nieburg

John Thomas Nieburg was born in Warrenton, MO, in 1940. He was preceded in death by a brother, Jimmy, and his parents Doris W. and John F. Nieburg. He graduated in 1963 from the University of Missouri, Columbia, in 1963. John held a degree in Industrial Engineering, then served in the United States Army Artillery at Fort Sill, OK.

John worked for DuPont at their Chattanooga, TN, plant in various capacities until 1973 when he was transferred to Wilmington, DE in the Safety and Fire Protection Division. He then transferred in 1976 to the Louisville, KY plant as an Industrial Safety Superintendent, and then back to DE in DuPont Safety Resources as a Senior consultant. He earned the title of Certified Safety Professional and was a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers, retiring from active service in 1992. John continued to work as a safety consultant with DuPont until 2010. As part of DuPont Safety Resources, John worked in plants belonging to other companies who contracted these safety services from DuPont and did consultation all over the world- Europe, China, Australia, the Yucatan, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, and the north Slope of Alaska.

From boyhood, John loved to fish and hunt. He loved boating and working with his friend, Ronnie Caldwell on his home place in Madison County and travel. Through all the years he also continued to enjoy the friendship and hunting and fishing with his college roommate, John Stanard.

John moved to Givens Estates Retirement Community in Asheville, NC in 2005. He and Becky Parks were married in 2011. He was a skilled woodcarver, serving two years as President and 15 years as Newsletter Editor of the WNC Carvers. John was the chair of Woodcarvers Day at the Folk Art Center twice. At Givens Estates,  he enjoyed the fellowship of the group of carvers there. He served as Chair of the Library Media Center Board for 18 years, managed the Habitat building crew volunteer program, co-chaired the Woodworking Shop. He was part of a group of volunteers who worked to build and maintain trails in the mountain area on the campus. John was Givens Estates Volunteer of the Year in 2018.

The most common comment from those who knew him was that he was a true gentleman, he was kind, loved to laugh and had a quick sense of humor. John was always disciplined and organized. His curiosity, love for meeting people, passion for life and desire to help others sustained him in everything he did.

John is greatly missed.

John is survived by his wife, Becky; stepdaughter, Ida Lee Norrell; stepson, David C. Norrell (Inga); sister, Nannette Reckinger; niece, Robin Reckinger; nephew, Kevin Reckinger; other relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Life honoring John will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026 from 11:00AM-12:00PM at Martin Funeral Home, 510 East Main Street, Warrenton, MO. A Graveside service for John will follow at 12:15PM in the family plot in the Warrenton City Cemetery . Those who wish to remember John with a memorial gift may give to Givens Estates Resident Assistance Fund, 2360 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28803.