Thomas Ervin Clymer

Thomas Ervin Clymer, 77, of Lost Springs, Kansas, passed away on Monday, September 29, 2025, with family by his side. He was born August 6, 1948, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the son of Thomas Matthews Clymer and Thelma (Ervin) Clymer.

In his youth, he was known as Tommy. He worked alongside his family as owners and operators of Clymer's Drive-In in Scott City, Missouri. The restaurant was affectionately referred to as Teen Town in the late 60's; a place where young people danced to records on the juke box, enjoyed burgers, fries and malts and spent time with friends. It was a family-owned business that was treasured by the community.

He graduated high school with the Class of 1966 in Scott City MO.

Tommy served in the United States Navy as a Signalman Seaman from August of 1968 through October of 1971 during the Vietnam War. During his time on the USS Walke and the USS Springfield he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/Divice. He was grateful to have had the opportunity to see the world.

After completing his service to our nation, he returned to work on the Cotton Belt Railroad. By the end of his career, Tom (aka TE or TC) was a 'Hog Head' railroad engineer. He retired from the Union Pacific Railroad in 2008 after nearly 38 years of service.

On May 5, 1974, in Sikeston, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Dicey Jane Howle. Tom and Jane shared over fifty-one years of marriage and raised two children together: Amy and Matt. They lived in Scott City Missouri until 1983, moved near Jefferson City, Missouri until 1987, then moved to Lost Springs, Kansas where they resided for the last 38 years.

Tom enjoyed woodworking and spending time in his shop tinkering with projects for their home, his family and friends. He honed his skills by crafting 1860's furniture and candle lanterns. Black powder rifle shooting and mountain man rendezvous reenactments were his passion. The whole family enjoyed participating in this style of primitive camping: the lodging, the dress, the trading, the meals, but especially the time around a campfire with family and friends.

Mr. Clymer was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Thelma Clymer; his sister, Frona Iris (Clymer) Talley; niece, Christina Dawn (Burton) Mattingly and a nephew, Shane Burton.

Surviving family includes his wife, Dicey Jane Clymer, daughter, Amy Meghan (Clymer) Adamson (Scott) of Baldwin City, KS; son, Thomas Matthew Clymer (Crysta) of Bentonville, AR; five grandchildren, Timothy Blake Adamson (Melissa), Isaac Matthew Clymer, Elijah James Adamson, Lillian Grace Clymer (Ibrahim) and Emmaline Rose Clymer; eight great-grandchildren, Ray, Remi, Gunner, Preslie, Huck, Buxton, Wesson and Stetson; three nephews, Ben Werner (Rhonda), Micah Werner and Jimmy Talley; plus three great-nephews, Joshua Burton, Justin Head, Levi Werner; and a great niece, Mallory Werner as well as a host of dear friends.

An 1860's Black Powder Rendezvous service to honor Tom's memory will take place at his daughter's property in Baldwin City KS on November 1, 2025. A US Navy graveside service will be planned at the Forrest Hills Memorial Gardens near Morley, Missouri at a later date. All who know and love Tom and his family are encouraged to attend. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com or Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 64, Baldwin City, KS 66006.