Funeral home brokers NewBridge Group.

LAWRENCEVILLE, GEORGIA - Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, of Lawrenceville and Snellville, Georgia was purchased by family members this week.   Tom M. Wages, the founder of the businesses, and one of the most respected funeral industry professionals, died in November, 2005, leaving the business to a family estate.  In late 2006, NewBridge Group was hired to represent the Estate of Tom M. Wages as the business was sold to Rick Johnson, the founder's son-in-law and Valerie Wages, the founder's daughter.

Tom Wages founded the companies' initial Lawrenceville, Georgia location in 1962 and then opened a second location in Snellville, Georgia in 1984.   The two locations combine to perform more than 650 funeral services annually and are recognized as one of the largest funeral establishments in the state of Georgia.   Mr. Johnson commented, "Mr. Wages was really a staunch believer in family owned funeral homes and we felt a responsibility to make sure the business didn't end up owned by a public company."     Valerie Wages, daughter of Tom Wages, added "I think Dad would be very pleased with how everything has worked out."   Ms. Wages is one of the foremost recognized women in funeral service, having been the first woman president of the Georgia Association of Funeral Directors and a nationally recognized funeral consultant for the past 15 years.     

Jeff Boutwell of The NewBridge Group represented the Estate of Tom Wages in the sale of the business.    Mr. Boutwell commented, "We were honored to have been chosen to represent the Estate of Tom Wages.   The attorneys representing the estate interviewed several investment bankers and ultimately decided that our experience with funeral home values and funeral home sales was important to ensure that the process was handled fairly for all parties."