Thomas Clark Conrad

1927 - 2015

Thomas Clark Conrad went to be with the Lord on the evening of March 11th. He passed peacefully after a long battle with Alzheimer's. He is now reunited with his beloved June.

Tom was a third generation Ojaian. He was born, the only child, to Landrith and Margaret Conrad on May 5, 1927. Margaret was the daughter of Ojai pioneer and business man Tom Clark, who was a Ventura County Supervisor for nearly forty years. Tom graduated from Nordhoff High School in 1944. He then joined the Navy and was stationed in Hawaii. At the end of his service Tom came home and married his high school sweetheart June Marie Freer. They enjoyed almost 60 wonderful years together, successfully raising five children, until June's passing in 2008.

Tom spent his adult life in construction. He was a master heavy equipment operator. It was amazing how he could handle those giant road graders, backhoes and skip loaders. For over 50 years, up until the time of his passing, he was a member in good standing of the International Union of Operating Engineers, local 12. Tom enjoyed many things. He loved to take his family fishing and camping in the Sierras. Dead Man Creek and Rock Creek were a couple of favorite places.

He was a master gardener, keeping family and friends well stocked with a large variety of home-grown vegetables. It seemed like he could make anything in his workshop. He built his own home, starting in 1950 and completing it in 1952. Saying it was complete is not totally accurate, as Tom spent many, many years enlarging and making improvements to both the house and the yard. But what Tom enjoyed most was helping families and friends. He could and would do anything, from plumbing or electrical to room additions. No project was too big or small. He never refused to help someone in need. Once you got to know Tom you became his friend, and you knew you could always count on him. He volunteered countless hours helping in the construction of Ojai Valley Community Stadium at Nordhoff High School.

He was a long-standing member and officer of the Nordhoffians. He was a baby-sitter, friend, and mentor to many grand and great-grandchildren. One of Tom's favorite things to do in life was to take June to Pismo Beach to the annual Dixieland Jazz festival. A yearly highlight for both of them. Another meaningful event in Tom's later years was June taking him to, and then him becoming a regular attendee of Ojai First Baptist Church. There he was reacquainted with old friends and he made many new ones. A true blessing for him.

Thomas is survived by his five loving children: son Richard and wife Kathleen of Sacramento, daughter Alienore and husband Marc Lake of Santa Clarita, son George and wife Colleen of Ojai, son James and wife Laurie of Peoria, Arizona, son William and wife Melanie of Sun City, Arizona; 14 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and 1 great great-grandchild. The family would like to thank Livingston Memorial Hospice, and especially Halina, Dan and everyone at Manor of Ojai for the great and loving care they gave Tom the last several years of his life. A memorial service to honor Tom will be held at 1:00pm, Saturday March 28th at Ojai First Baptist Chuch at Grand Avenue.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Nordhoffians or the Ojai First Baptist Church Mission Fund. Thomas has been entrusted to the care of the family-owned JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, 757 E. Main Street, downtown Ventura, 805-643-8623.