Dr. Thomas F. Soare

Thomas F. Soare, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 25 after an eight year battle with cancer. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, director, actor, photographer, and faculty member at Sam Houston State University since 1971.Thomas Soare, or Tom, as he was known by friends and family, was born in New York City on Nov. 22, 1936, to mother Valdora Joyce Seissinger and father William Fulton Soare, a noted commercial illustrator at the time. A child of the Great Depression, Tom's father struggled to support his family through his art, until his untimely death in 1940.  Left with a young three-year old, Tom's mother worked tirelessly to raise him single handedly until she passed away in 1956.Alone at the age of 19, Thomas received his BA from the University of Denver. While there, he was awarded several honors including the John Elliott Weyant Memorial Award in 1958. After his undergraduate work, Thomas enlisted in the Special Intelligence Branch of the U.S. Army and became a German linguist stationed in post-World War II Germany. While stationed in Giessen, Germany, Tom discovered a way to begin a professional career by taking the position of Post Entertainment Director, US Army Special Services. From 1963 until 1965, Tom toured throughout Europe entertaining U.S. soldiers with award winning theater productions.After completing his tour of duty with an honorable discharge, Tom returned to the University of Denver to complete a Master of Arts degree in 1966. Through his association with the Army Entertainment Services Program, Tom took a civilian position in Ft. Bragg, N.C. as the Director of Drama for US Army Special services until 1969.  While at the Ft. Bragg Playhouse, he continued his performing career starring in productions at the Fayetteville Little Theater in Fayetteville, N.C., winning Actor of the Year in 1967 and 1968.From 1969 to 1971 Tom directed the Lakeland Little Theater in Lakeland, Fla. and then began working toward his PhD at Florida State University. To research his thesis Tom moved to Huntsville, Texas and began his teaching career at Sam Houston State University. Upon completion of his PhD at Florida State in 1974, he was awarded a full-time teaching position as a professor in the Theater Department at Sam Houston State University.Tom continued his professorship at SHSU from 1974 to 2006. Throughout his career at SHSU, he continued to work as a professional actor, voice-over artist and director, working regularly at the Cisco Dinner Theatre and The Point Theatre in Ingram, Texas and other venues. During the course of his career he directed over 90 productions, held major roles in 24 productions, provided scenic and lighting for over 120 productions and concerts. Tom is also credited with developing the Sun system (Soare's Universal Numbers), a tool used by professional lighting designers.Throughout his life Tom shared his creative passion with colleagues and his students alike. In additiion to his academic and theatrical career, he was a brilliant photographer, with a passion for the environment and all things creative. Many of his closest friends describe Tom as the pivotal person in their lives, helping them find their creative direction in life. He was a gentle and loving father, grandfather and husband, demonstrating a life of love and focused passion as an example for all to follow.Tom is survived by his wife, Carole Soare; son, Robert Randolph Soare, and step-children, Catherine Sherman, Denver Booker, Tamara Milner, and Michael Stanton; grandson, Macrae Soare and step-grandchildren, Christina Milner, Stephen and Sam Birdwell, Trevor Booker, and twins Rowen and Elijah Stanton.A memorial celebration will be held for Tom on Oct. 20 at 5 p.m. at his home in Trinity.  Friends, family and students are encouraged to attend and celebrate a life well lived. For information, please call (936) 649-1566.