CLEMSON- Dr. Thomas Gilmer Proctor, 85, died peacefully with family by his side Thursday, January 17, 2019. He was born October 4, 1933 in Winston-Salem, NC, the son of Thomas G. and Geneva Van Velzel Proctor, Jr. He was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Clemson.
Gil graduated from Hendersonville (NC) High School, class of 1952. Dr. Proctor was honored by being chosen for the Hendersonville High School Hall of Fame. He attended NC State, graduating in 1956. He later received his Master's degree (1962) and then PhD (1965) also from NC State. Gil also completed a degree at Oak Ridge School of Technology. He very much enjoyed traveling, hiking, and music.
Dr. Proctor worked at the Ingalls Shipbuilding Company from 1956-1960 as an Engineer. He was a teaching assistant from 1960-1965 at NC State; Clemson University as an Assistant Professor from 1965-1969; an Associate Professor from 1969-1973; then Professor of Mathematical Sciences from 1973-2005.
Gil is survived by a brother, David Proctor (Janice) of Hendersonville, North Carolina; a sister, Beth Chapman (George) of Callahan, Florida; and several nieces and nephews. Dr. Proctor was predeceased by his wife, Nancy Lillian Thompson Proctor.
A Memorial service will be held 2 P.M. Saturday, January 19 at the Chapel of Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, 108 Cross Creek Road, Central, SC.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Building Fund, First Baptist Church of Clemson, 397 College Ave, Clemson, SC 29631.
Condolences may be expressed at www.RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or in person at the Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home in Central.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Times-News from Jan. 18 to Jan. 19, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Proctor

15 Entries

Edward Jennings

May 28, 2023

I'm very sorry that I'm late.
I was a graduate assistant under Dr. Proctor mainly in differential equations and Advanced Engineering Math; I respected him immensely. He took on a late appointment to my PhD committee and supplied helpful criticism.

I always and sincerely respected his drive toward mathematics teaching and continually delivering more knowledge.

My wife, Karen, was also a Clemson MS graduate who sincerely respected Dr. Proctor.

Dr. Proctor showed great kindness to our beagle dog, our child at the time; we appreciated.

Sincerely and Respectfully,
Edward Jennings, PhD

Betty Reiter

June 12, 2019

Harold and I were graduate students in mathematics when Gil and his dear wife Nancy moved to Clemson. He was always appreciated for his teaching, kindness to students, and for his history of the department. Wonderful memories, remembering that we moved from Clemson exactly 50 years ago! We never forget.

Bob and Sharon Fennell

January 25, 2019

Gil and Nancy were the best welcoming committee when we came to Clemson in 1969. Gil had a gentle soul and was always kind to students and faculty. He was devoted to making the Math Department a place of excellence, working hard to develop programs for the students..

Sheri Pruitt-Osteen

January 20, 2019

Gil was a precious man with a precious family. He always had a great smile and kind words. He has been promoted to his heavenly home and is rejoicing with Nancy.He will be missed

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Fred Roper

January 19, 2019

We remember Gil and his family so very fondly and warmly from our days with them at Shaws Creek Baptist Church in Hendersonville.

Elizabeth and Carrie Barton, Frances and Harley Blackwell, and Fred Roper

Belinda Batten

January 19, 2019

I met Gil in1987 when I was considering going to Clemson for my Ph.D. He struck me then as such a compassionate person who really cared about the students in the program. I never had him as a professor, but he was head of the grad program while I was a student and he had a significant impact on my career. He always ensured that I was funded to go to conferences when I asked, knowing how important building a network was for my future. I'm now the Executive Associate Dean for Engineering at Oregon State, and through the years, I've thought of him and been thankful for his encouragement and support, and have tried to pay it forward. So sorry to hear of his passing.

Jo Ann Fain

January 19, 2019

Just saw this and am so sad to hear of this. I am one of the 1952 classmates of his and thought so much of him.He helped us plan our 50th and it was so good then to see him and work on the reunion with him. Loved him and all of his family. Will be greatly missed. Prayers for all of the family.

Harriet Crawford

January 19, 2019

So sorry to hear about Gil. We loved him dearly and our praying for his family.

Frank and Harriet Crawford, Lisa and Bill Ross

John Fulton

January 19, 2019

Mobility issues prevent my attending the Memorial Service today to honor my departed colleague and friend of almost 60 years. We were together as graduate students at N C State before we served at Clemson University. He was a highly talented mathematician and was friendly and kind. I will miss him greatly. My prayers are with Gil's family.

Sue Owen

January 19, 2019

I met Gil and Nancy in 1965 when I was working at First National Bank in Clemson. They were one of the sweetest couples. I have very fond
memories of their visits to the bank. All of you are in my prayers and thoughts. I pray wonderful memories will help ease the pain you must be feeling.

george orr

January 19, 2019

Fond memories from our past at Shaws Creek Baptist Church in Hendersonville, NC

Earl Herndon

January 18, 2019

Gil was a wonderful friend from FBC Clemson and Sunday School class. He and I shared many conversations as his wife Nancy and my wife, Jackie were cared for by the wonderful staff of the Downs Health Care Center. He will be missed and my prayers are with the family.

Bob Taylor

January 18, 2019

I joined the Department of Mathematical Sciences in January 2003 and only had limited interaction with Gil as a faculty colleague. However, it didn't take long after my arrival to discover that Gil was truly one of the kindest, most gentle and most giving people whom I have known. Many people have been blessed to have known and been helped by Gil, and I was fortunate to have this experience also for the past 15 years. He was tremendously loyal to the Department, Clemson University and his many friends and will be terribly missed.

Bob Taylor, Department Chair of Mathematical Sciences, 2003-2103

Donna Simms

January 18, 2019

Dr. Proctor was a man I and my husband both admired greatly as graduate students and as an employee at the Clemson Department of Mathematics. He was so supportive and kind and patient. I will remember him as one of the reasons I am the person I am today. God's grace and peace to his family as you grieve the loss of a wonderful person.

Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results