Tom liked among other things, fishing and drinking coffee. The above picture was taken at the State boat launch in early September 2022, Tom and his fishing buddy Chris Stoltz were just coming off the lake after a morning of stalking finned monsters up in the marsh, his favorite fishing haunt. I was conducting Courtesy Boat Inspections on Labor Day weekend, the last weekend of the CBI season. I’m pretty sure from the smile on his face that he was enjoying himself! Tom also liked coffee and he’d call me up on the spur of the moment and invite me over to his camp on the lake for a cup of his strong Louisiana coffee, or he’d show up at my house, unannounced, settle into a comfy chair, and enjoy a cup of my equally strong coffee. The picture at left is him doing just that, back in 2016. At times like these we’d have good and lengthy conversations on just about any subject but eventually we’d always end up talking about Clary Lake. Throughout those long hard years of the water level crisis and our seemingly endless battle for the survival of Clary Lake, at times the outlook was bleak. Tom was always there, always supportive, always upbeat and optimistic, and always full of ideas and inspiration. He helped me through a very difficult period of my life in more ways than I can mention. Over the years he has been a valuable steward of Clary Lake and a generous patron of the Clary Lake Association at a time when we needed all the help we could get. He will be remembered. He will be missed.
I had my last cup of coffee with Tom this past fall out on his deck just a week before he and his wife Delph packed up and left for Houston. I thanked him again for all his help over the years protecting and preserving Clary Lake. His response was a characteristically dismissive wave of his hand. His health had been failing, and I hoped, but doubted, that I would see him again. News of his passing was sad, but not unexpected. He was 93.
Here is Tom’s obituary, written by his son Baxter. The obituary should appear in the Houston Chronical this coming Tuesday and soon, in the Brunswick Times Record and the Lincoln County News. Continue reading
The Summer 2024 Clary Lake Association Newsletter went in the mail a few days ago and it is now now available for download from our 
It’s never too early to beat the doldrums, or plan to beat the doldrums!! We’re looking to do just that this coming February when we expect the Winter Doldrums to be at their peak! We’d like to gather as many Members as we can to join in celebrating being together, and to break up the monotony and cold of the long winter with some warm cheer and friendly conversation. To that end we’re planning a party on February 24, 2024 at 7 PM at the home of our President, Gareth Bowen and his lovely First Lady Beverley! Their house is down at the end of the long driveway at 739 Gardiner Road in Jefferson in the field overlooking the lake (
