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Tom Clardy
12/28/1943 - 04/03/2025
Tom Clardy Obituary
Born to Viola Clardy and Wilson Clardy in St. Louis, Missouri on a cold snowy night just after Christmas while war raged in Europe, Tom lived life guided by his soft heart and insatiable curiosity. He succeeded in many endeavors - as a life-long student, a decorated multi-sport athlete - first high school All-American in football from the state of Missouri - Airman First Class in the United States Air Force, as a musician, historian, bicyclist, writer, as a computer and engineering technician, extraordinary gardener, enthusiastic hiker and skier, voracious reader and, most importantly, as a kind, generous human being, grateful for his good life. He leaves behind his younger sister Jody and her family, his godsons Bret and Andreas Golden, his wife Candy, and countless friends. He will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by all.
Tom was exceedingly thankful for Dr. Michael Graham (of Portland, Oregon), who performed a risky and successful spinal fusion on him while stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, and for Dr. James Rosenbaum at OHSU who managed his painful arthritic condition for the past 40+ years.
A celebration of Tom's life will be held at River View Cemetery on April 3, 2026.
Suggested contributions in his honor to the OHSU Foundation, Oregon Historical Society, Planned Parenthood of the Columbia-Willamette or a charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Tom Clardy
Sponsored by The Family.
6 Entries
Jim Wasko
Earlier today
Tom was an amazing human being. He hired me into Sequent in 1989 and was a delight to work for. His enthusiasm for the work we did and his zest for life was contagious. I loved the deep, meaningful conversations he would engage in. I am blessed to have known him.
Steve Statler
Yesterday
Tom had in abundance what many of us strive for and few possess: presence. To me, it was magnetic. Another word for what he had is charisma, but that sounds a little superficial. Tom was a thinker, a man of action (sometimes), and a great storyteller, crooner, poet, historian, systems manager, and enthusiast - and he was a friend to a great many.
He enjoyed food, the company of men and women, spirituality, history, wine, a martini, a view, a hot tub, a good TV show, and long conversations about politics and all the aforementioned. His enthusiasm was infectious.
Tom wrote a most beautiful poem for Tammie´s and my wedding. At one point he said he couldn´t do it, but when he did write it and delivered "Trailblazers" after our wedding vows, we were in awe. It´s my favorite poem - sorry, Wordsworth.
His partnership with Candy was essential to him, and inspiring. She was a saint - a beautiful, peroxide-blonde bombshell of a complement; so generous, loving, and fun. We love you, Candy.
I had the privilege to be his last boss when we both worked at Sequent, a company we loved being part of. It didn´t always feel like I was the boss. One of the few times I told Tom to do anything specific was when I insisted he travel to Europe to visit our customers, the field organization over there. He was deeply resistant, but when he did it, he loved the experience and came back with more stories and topics to evangelize. His positive energy and enthusiasm for what we were doing made it so fun to work together.
Our one-on-ones continued after Sequent. Some of my happiest hours were meeting him for lunch every Friday for a few years after he retired. We would go to Produce Row on the east side of the Willamette River, enjoy an IPA and fish and chips, and have some of the best conversations I´ve ever had. I love that guy.
Shortly before he died, he gave Tammie and me a ceramic copy of the life mask that so many of us saw in his home, beaming out like a beneficent Julius Caesar. Now it´s a feature in our back garden, which he surveys, so we get to see Tom daily. He loved a good audience, and this one will continue, I hope, for a long time.
I know I´m not alone in feeling these things. When you have presence, people want to be around you. His ability to fuel friendships, in partnership with Candy, is maybe his most enduring legacy.
Wookie
March 15, 2026
One of my great joys, was describing to Tom "Playing Alien" and his reaction.
Shar Ludwig
March 15, 2026
Candy I am sending my sincere sympathy to you and your family.
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Tom Markgraf
March 15, 2026
He was kindness personified. I am grateful.
David Hicks
March 14, 2026
What a kind gentle man. Love and condolences to Candy.
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