Born: August 25, 1949 Clarksburg, Harrison County, Virginia

Died: September 11, 2017 Houston, Harris County, Texas

Parents:
Martin H Conry (____ – 2006)
Frances Pearl Clever Rearick (1919 – 2002)

Thomas, “Tom” was born August 25, 1949 in Clarksburg, West Virginia to Martin Conry and Frances Rearick. Tom spent most of his childhood in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Eventually his family moved to Akron, Ohio where he graduated from Firestone High School.

Tom had a deep love of the outdoors and decided to attend Kent State University, majoring in Forestry. Unfortunately, the May 4th, 1970 riots interrupted his education and the school closed unexpectedly.

He married Sharon Ann Baum in Cleveland, Ohio, September of 1970 and welcomed his son, David into the world the following year. Uncle Sam decided he needed Tom’s wit and intelligence, so Tom spent 9 years in the Army working for the National Security Agency (NSA). While being stationed in Misawa, Japan, Tom welcomed one of the biggest surprises of his life, his twin daughters. In fact, it was such as surprise to the doctor, that after baby “a” was born, Katie, Tom helped deliver baby “b,” Kelly. With three children to feed and after nine years in the Army, Tom decided to leave the military and find a civilian job.

Eventually, he moved to Waco, Texas and earned two degrees from Baylor University (Sic’em Bears!). During his tenure, Tom was an associate pastor at First Baptist Church, China Spring, worked at the Texas Water Commission (now the TNRCC), the Brazos River Authority and taught at Baylor University. Tom retired from the City of Waco two years ago so he could fish, hike the Appalachian Trail, walk his dog, and spend as much time as he could with his grandchildren.

Tom had a love of learning that never ended. He loved reading C.S. Lewis, Emerson, Thoreau and Robert Frost. He was constantly downloading books on his Kindle Fire knowing he would never read all those books!

Above all, Tom was a man of deep conviction and faith. He loved the Lord with all his heart and was not afraid to share his faith. For Christmas he was given a book that highlighted daily a Greek word from the Scripture. And on January 27, 2017 he wrote in his journal “In the past several weeks, there has been a peace at times that is very deep and overwhelming. If things are to continue on this path, then all that can be done is to praise God. That is all that should be done, and thank Him for allowing us to follow His will. We cannot see the way the path leads, nor should we. We are to take each step in faith.” He faced a difficult illness head on with a determination that he would be healed. But he was also a man willing to accept God’s plan for him.

One of Tom’s last entries into his journal read like this:
1st Birthday – 1949, physical
2nd Birthday – 1974, spiritual
3rd Birthday – 2010, First Bone Marrow Transplant
4th Birthday – _________Finally in the presence of Jesus.
We can now fill in that date as Sept. 11, 2017.

Tom was loved and respected by people from all walks of life and he always treated people with the utmost respect. He carried himself with grace, humility and with a true caring nature for all. Tom was deeply loved by all of us and will be sorely missed. We love you Tom and rejoice in the fact we WILL see you again in Heaven.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, Martin Conry of Birmingham, Alabama.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon Conry of Waco, Texas,; son, David, daughters, Katherine, and Kelly and their respective spouses; grandchildren (known as Papa to them): Ethan, Bennett, Emmalyn, Bailey, Sophia, Madelyn, Luc and Zac; mother, Frances, brother and sister-in-law, Terry and Lynn; and many other family members too numerous to list.

Active pallbearers are David Conry, Ethan Conry, William Baum, Matt Ultis, Martin Normand, and David Kerr.