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Graveside services for Thomas Eugene Clark of Victoria Texas were held at 10 a.m. Thursday June 28, 2001 at Memory Gardens Cemetery. The Revs. David Ennis and Gerry Chavez officiated with full military honors , under the auspices of the Victoria Veterans Council, VFW, CWV, DAV, American Legion, Marine Corps League, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Crossroads Ex-POWs and the Military Order of the World Wars.
Tom was born January 24, 1948, in Enid, Oklahoma, to the late Raymond Eugene Clark and Avice Smith Clark and passed away Monday, June 25, 2001 at the age of 53. After graduating from Enid High School in 1966, he attended Oklahoma State University until he was called to serve his country. During his U.S. Army tour in Vietnam from 1968-1969, Tom attained the rank of Sergeant and served with honor and bravery as attested to by his many decorations which included the National Defense Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge; Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars; Air Medal; Bronze Star Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.
Following an Honorable Discharge, he began a career as a Refinery Operator with Champlin Petroleum Company in his hometown of Enid. Over the next 14 years, he was promoted to several positions of increasing responsibility, and when the refinery closed, Tom was serving as Production Foreman. After a brief stint at Pride Refining in Abilene, Texas, Tom accepted a position in the Production Department of Airco Carbon (now Seadrift Coke, L.P.) in Seadrift, Texas. As before, Tom served in various lead and supervisory positions, and at the time of his death was a Production Technician. Shortly after coming on board with Airco, his fun for life and sense of humor made Tom a favorite with his coworkers who will all miss him greatly.
Tom is survived by his loving and courageous wife, Pat, who stood beside him during their long struggle against Tom's last but toughest foe. Pat was a never-ending source of love, comfort, companionship and strength throughout his illness. While their years together were far too few, Tom left us knowing the true warmth and depth of her love. Tom also leaves behind two fine sons and their wonderful wives: Bradley and Amanda of Dallas, TX., and Stephen and Michelle of Corpus Christi, TX. Throughout their lives, his two sons were a constant source of pride to Tom who pleasured in their accomplishments at Texas Tech University and their later careers. Amanda and Michelle have also been a source of strength and love to both Pat and Tom especially over the last months. He is also survived by his brother Tony of Phoenix, Arizona as well as his beloved aunts and uncles: Reba Crews of Enid, OK., Yevonne McFarland of Longdale, OK., Nedra Smith of Des Moines, IA., Truman Smith of Mustang, OK., Bobby Smith of Beaumont, TX., Wally Smith of Stillwater, OK., and Neil Smith of Frazier Park, CA. Also surviving are Tom's nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Doney.
Pallbearers were James Maikoetter, David Friedrich, Bryan Finn, John Simmons, Sid Harris, Nick Wittry.
Visitation was held at Rosewood Funeral Chapels to celebrate Tom's life between 6 and 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 27. 2001.
Donations were made to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcomb Blvd., Houston, TX 77030 or the Heifer Project International, P.O. Box 808, Little Rock, AR 72203.
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