Matthew Klepfer 76 founded and operated TAMCO Paper Stock Thomas

Aug. 4, 1942 - July 25, 2019

After almost 20 years in the family business of car sales, Thomas Matthew Klepfer took a new job on the other side of the state as general manager of a waste paper packing plant in Albany.

He flew out and back every week for three years, leading the firm from marginal profitability to an annual profit of more than a half-million dollars. After three years, he became a Buffalo-based account executive for the firm.

Then, in 1990, Mr. Klepfer founded TAMCO Paper Stock Inc., creating the name from his own first initial and those of his two daughters, Marjorie and Caroline.

That was the place for him.

"I think he was sorry that he didn't start in the paper business sooner than he did," said his wife of 50 years, Sharon Klepfer.

Although he retired in 2005, his Buffalo company remains family-owned.

Mr. Klepfer died on July 25, 2019, in his Snyder home after a long illness. He was 76.

He was born in Buffalo on Aug. 4, 1942, the first child of Harlan A. and Lucy L. Klepfer. He attended Nichols School, where, already 6-foot-6, he was a football star and center and captain of the basketball team in his senior year. He also participated in track, setting a local record in the discus throw that stood for some 25 years.

At Nichols, Mr. Klepfer was known for his sense of humor. In his senior profile in 1960, his classmates wrote, "The only place his humor forsakes him is in study hall, where, as proctor, he keeps close rein on over-enthusiastic upperclassmen."

He attended Denison University in Granville, Ohio, where he belonged to Delta Upsilon fraternity and played on the football team. After graduating in 1964 with a bachelor's degree in sociology, he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and went to training camp briefly. He later told his wife that despite his size and strength, he lacked what he called "the killer instinct."

From 1967 to 1979, he worked at Klepfer Brothers Buick on Main Street in Buffalo, becoming new and used car manager.

Mr. Klepfer enlisted in the U.S. Army as a non-commissioned officer, serving at Fort Polk, La. He was honorably discharged in 1970 with the rank of Master Sergeant.

On New Years Eve 1968, Mr. Klepfer brought a date to a party at the home of a friend. Also attending, with her own date, was Sharon Barclift. As 1968 became 1969, they caught each other's eyes. After a whirlwind romance, they married on May 3, 1969,  in Amherst Community Church in Snyder.

In 1979, Mr. Klepfer became president and CEO of his own auto sales company, Tom Klepfer Pontiac-Buick in Yorkshire, in Cattaraugus County.

After six years, Mr. Klepfer became general manager at CFI/US Recycling Industries in Albany. His family remained in the home on Washington Highway in Snyder that they occupied for more than 40 years, while he commuted to Albany weekly. "He would fly down on Monday morning and fly back on Friday night," said Mrs. Klepfer.

In 1988, Mr. Klepfer became a Buffalo-based account executive for the Albany company, then, in 1990, he opened TAMCO Paper Stock Inc. He led the firm to almost a million dollars of annual revenue.

His family described him as loud, boisterous and "the life of the party," and compassionate, kind, loving and devoted to his friends and family. "Big guy, soft heart," his wife said.

He also loved to "scream at the TV during football games," his wife said. "It got to the point that I absolutely hated football season, and I couldn't open the windows, because then everybody could hear," she said.

Mr. Klepfer was a member of the Torque Kings Classic Car Club who loved his red 1930 "Hi-Boy" Roadster and his red 1940 Ford coupe. He was active in the local automotive community and won many awards at classic car/hot rod shows.

He loved boating, especially at Thunder Bay, Ont., where his family had a cottage for many years.

He was a member of Amherst Community Church.

Besides his wife of 50 years, Sharon Barclift Klepfer, Mr. Klepfer is survived by his son, Steven Klepfer; two daughters, Marjorie Brown and Caroline Klepfer; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, James and John Klepfer; a sister, Ann Huffman; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17, in Amherst Community Church, 77 Washington Highway, Snyder.