Thomas Patrick Conry
1948-2021
Thomas Patrick Conry passed away on November 1, 2021. He was born in Chicago on February 7, 1948, raised in the Kansas City area where he became an Eagle Scout, and graduated from Rockhurst Jesuit University there. He served in the Kansas National Guard and the U.S. Naval Reserve. Tom moved to Houston, Texas in 1972 and lived in the Heights since 1979. His professional career included 14 years in Houston with assignments in protocol and international visitor services with the Institute of International Education headquartered in New York. He then spent more than 23 years promoting trade and investment with Japan as the Director of U.S.-Japan Relations in Houston for the Japan External Trade Organization headquartered in Tokyo.
Tom was a Eucharist Minister, served as a certified Catholic Chaplain at Omega House Hospice, and presided over a weekly Communion Service at All Saints Church in the Heights. At the Church, he donated an outdoor garden cross in memory of his family and supported preservation efforts in the Houston Heights Historic District. He was an original donor to the Discovery Green in downtown Houston and contributed to the Houston Parks Board Greenway 2020 initiative by underwriting a park bench and medallions in Bayou Greenways Park. Tom was a member of the Asia Society Texas Center, Jung Center, Holocaust Museum of Houston, Menil Collection, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and the Houston Botanic Garden. He was an avid advocate of the Oratory of St. Joseph in Montreal, where he was a Grand Associate, and a benefactor to the National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos in New Orleans. In September 2021, he was inducted into the Golden Hawks Society at Rockhurst Jesuit University in Kansas City, Missouri.
He leaves his brother Michael and wife Carol in Denver and their family Eric, Nicole, Mia, Kevin and Dylan in Miami; sisters Mary Kathryn in Houston and Teresa in Fort Worth; and brother John in the Oakland area. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph, mother, Mary, brother-in-law, Bill Robinett and nephew, Chris.
Tom's wishes were to have Masses said for his intention at any Catholic Church in lieu of flowers or other donations.
Tom will lie in state at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Memorial Park, 6622 Haskell Street, Houston, TX 77007 on November 16, 2021 at 9:00AM with the recitation of the rosary beginning at 9:30AM. A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will then be held in the church at 10:00AM. Interment will follow at Earthman Resthaven Cemetery. Services will be livestreamed at https://www.sttheresa.cc/funeralstream.

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

Published by Houston Chronicle on Nov. 6, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Conry

Sponsored by Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home and Cemetery.

9 Entries

Therese Tilley

December 3, 2021

I too am saddened and shocked to hear of Tom´s journey to everlasting life. I´ve known him since 1979 when he programes the Franzheim Fellowship at the IIE. Tom encouraged me to move to the Heights which I did in 1981. We worked together on many things involving international visitors and JETERO too. When I finally bought a house in the heights the best serendipity was that Tom lived one house away. He championed me, always loved my mom, and I will miss him so....

Geraldine Gill

November 30, 2021

I am saddened by the passing of my dear friend Tom. Tom was a most sincere friend and colleague. Together we produced many Japanese-American programs for Houston. Mostly, I will miss our regular lunches at Patranella's.
We have lost a wonderful gentleman.

Charles Kutach

November 16, 2021

I am so sorry to hear of Tom´s passing. God rest his soul. He was a good friend and will be missed. My thoughts and prayers to his family.

Paul Hornick

November 15, 2021

I met Tom when we were both volunteers at Omega House.

At my age, it sounds odd to say that I "looked up" to him. But I always felt like he was the grownup in the room. A comfort.

He was a "gentleman" in the best sense of the word.

Didier Piot MD

November 6, 2021

well Tom I guess we'll have to postpone that dinner date.....See you later....Old chap......
Didier

Camille Murphy 713 515 2679 Murphy, csmille

November 6, 2021

What a loss of such a friend which began when we both worked for IIE. He made work a pleasure and Friendship easy. I will miss him a great deal.

Helen M Mann

November 6, 2021

I was deeply saddened to read of Tom's death. My condolences to his family and friends. As British Vice Consul in Houston, it was my privilege to know Tom during his years as protocol officer. It was a pleasure to work with him thanks to his unfailing courtesy, great sense of humour, (and occasionally of the absurd!), and meticulous efficiency. I was fortunate to also consider him a friend. He was a truly decent, civilised gentleman, and will be sorely missed. A tree will be planted in his memory as part of The Queen´s Green Canopy - a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty´s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

Helen M Mann

November 6, 2021

I was shocked to read of Tom's death. Please accept my condolences and every sympathy. As British Vice Consul, I was privileged to know Tom during his many years serving as protocol officer. It was a pleasure to work with him as he was unfailingly courteous, had a wicked sense of humour, (and of the occasional absurd), and was meticulously efficient. I was pleased to consider him a friend as well as a colleague. We have lost a truly civilised, honourable gentleman.

Geri Konigsberg

November 6, 2021

To Tom's Family,
I am so sorry to see that Tom passed away. He was the kindest man. I met him when he worked at IIE back in the 70's/80's. We continued our friendship through his years at JETRO. He was a good person, with a good sense of humor and was loyal to his friends. I will pray for him, as per his wishes. I hope that you, his family, can take some comfort in his faith, and the memories you have of him.

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