VAN JACKSON, owner of Tommy's Kingburger in Batesville, makes plans to celebrate
 ownership of the diner for 30 years on Tuesday by inviting customers to join him for
cake and ice cream throughout the day.

Tommy's Kingburger celebrates 30 years
Mary Jo Guenzel, Guard Staff Writer
Published on 6/30/2003

Remember the dairy bars, drive-ins and mom-and-pop food establishments that lined the avenues in Batesville before fast-food franchises?

One such institution is Tommy's Kingburger, located at 2100 Harrison St., - the eatery has been in the same location for 39 years and owner Van Jackson is celebrating 30 years of ownership on Tuesday.

Jackson said Tommy's will serve cake and ice cream from 9 a.m to 9 p.m. in celebration of 30 years.

"Everybody is invited to come by, visit and celebrate with us," Jackson said.

Jackson bought Tommy's Kingburger from Tommy Gipson in 1973.

"This restaurant has been in the same location for 39 years. Past Tommy's Kingburger was just woods, it was just about at the end of town.

"We were here before the first Wal-Mart, before the road was widened - before a lot of things," Jackson added.

Jackson said before buying Tommy's, he worked there while going to high school.

"We have not changed the food at all, though over the years we have added some things to the menu. We still have Tommy's special burger called the Kingburger on the menu. It's made the same way as it was years ago. We still make our own patties every day fresh. They're still the same size and we fix 'em like you like 'em," Jackson said.

Besides the popular Kingburger, Tommy's is known for its shakes, "still made the old-fashion way by using a shake machine," and its country ribs and beef and pork tenderloin.

Jackson said he has been preparing the barbecue for at least 22 or 23 years.

A line of basket meals has been added to the menu over the years and Jackson said he has always offered a delivery service with a minimum order of $5.

"We will pretty much deliver anywhere in the city limits," Jackson said.

Tommy's Kingburger offers catering for birthdays, weddings, reunions and parties and Jackson said, "a lot of my business comes from serving White Rodgers, Eastman and the poultry plants on a daily basis."

Business hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Jackson is also a U-Haul authorized dealer, and the rental business is located at the same address.

Tommy Gipson

Published on 7/13/2005

NEWARK - Tommy Joe Gipson, 62, of Newark, died Tuesday, July 12, 2005, in Newark.

Born Feb. 12, 1943, at Cord, he was the son of J.M. and Maxine Cooper Gipson. He married Ella Jane Lindsey on Sept. 21, 1962. He was a member of the Newark Church of Christ and the founder of Tommy's Kingburger in Batesville, which he owned for nine years. He was later involved in constructing homes and businesses, including the Scenic View Motel in Batesville, and completion of the Newark Town and Country.

Gipson later owned gravel pits, including Rocky Point. He prepared the base for the Newark School and the power plant in Newark. He was also a cattleman.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years; his mother of Newark; two sons; Terry Lynn Gipson and Trent Gipson, both of Newark; a daughter, Laura Anderson of Newark; a brother, Gary Gipson of Newark; a sister, Elizabeth Gardner of Newark; and eight grandchildren, Clayton Anderson, Brandy Anderson, Lauren Anderson, Cameron and Carlie Anderson, Courtney Cummings, Tyce Gipson, Camdyn Gipson; and a great grandchild, Alexis Spiker.

He was preceded in death by his father.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the Newark Church of Christ with Danny Blevins officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Zion Cemetery under the direction of Jackson's Newark Funeral Home.

Visitation will be Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m.

Pallbearers are Bobby Morrison, Robert Griffin, Glenn Hightower, Ricky Head, Jerry McClain and Scott Wood.

Honorary pallbearers will be Randall Gardner, James Gipson, Mike Hedges, Michael Talley, Gene Gardner, Larry Magness and Van Jackson.