Thomas Louis Slavik, 66, of Waco, passed away September 23, 2017, at his home with his family by his side.
Memorial Service celebrating Tom’s life: 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 30, 2017 at Central Christian Church in Waco. In lieu of visitation, a coffee will be held at the church immediately following the service.
Tom was born March 3, 1951 in Cameron to Frank and Henrietta Ann Zavodny Slavik. He graduated from Sam Houston State University with a degree in printing management and went on to a long and successful career in fine paper sales. His last place of employment was FasClampitt Paper Co. Tom was proud to work for a family-owned paper merchant that was growing as many companies were “creating paperless offices.” He loved gathering stories and jokes to share with his customers and friends.
He also enjoyed living close to Lake Waco and spent many days, and a few nights, boating on the lake. Tom took pride in keeping a beautiful lawn, doing his best to create and implement a routine that kept his yard velvety green. Neighbors would compliment him on his gardening skills and ask for tips on a beautiful lawn, which greatly pleased him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Lydia Marie Slavik Williams, of Cameron.
Tom’s memory will be cherished by his wife, Gwynn Graham Slavik; son, Alexander Graham Anton Czichos; his sister, Retta Slavik Chandler and husband, Charles; his brother, Frank Slavik, and wife, Betty; his mother-in-law, Maxine Graham; along with his nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins and many friends.
For those desiring, memorials may be made to Scott and White Hospice, 2911 Herring Ave., Waco, Texas 76708.
Print Obituary & Condolences
I was saddened to hear of Thomas’ passing. I will always remember him as a happy and sweet soul. I have a picture of him and my brother, Leon, at my niece’s wedding. He was smiling and having a great time….this I will always remember of Thomas…a day when all was good and he was still here with us. He was blessed with a wonderful family and I know you all grieve this tremendous loss, as do I. Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers during this sad time..
Thank you Theresa for your kind memories of Thomas. He was always proud of his family and Czech heritage and he loved the Zavodny family. All the best.
Gwynn & Alex
Gwynn, my deepest sympathies to you and Alex. I’m so glad you and Tom found each other to enjoy a life of love and happiness together. You are in my thoughts and prayers..
Patty Hawk
Thank you Patty. We started a great marriage with you by our side and continued to love and cherish each other for many years. Take good care. Miss seeing you.
Gwynn
A GREAT MAN, ONE HECK OF A SALES PAPER MAN, HE GAVE US PLENTY OF JOKES & LAUGHS FOR MANY OF YEARS. HE WILL TRULY BE MISSED BY ALL FROM HIS FRIENDS AT AMA NYSTROM. MAY GOD BE WITH HIS WIFE GWYNN & FAMILY DURING THIS TIME.
He was a very treasured friend for many years. Prayers going out to his family. He will truly be missed by many.
My sympathies extended to Gwynn and Alex and Frank and Slavic family.
Tom was a neat guy and a real friend. He was always welcome in our place of business.
He was extremely helpful in the trying times of our business in getting started. We had a few years of early business starts that were shakey and what good is a printing company without paper. Tom stuck it out with us until we were financially able to hold our own.
Not many did. I will always be grateful and remember those days. Thank you Tom for believing is us. He was a great dad also. I remember that Alex traveled with him when school was not in session. He was always welcome at our shop.
Tom took pride in his workmanship. He was a craftsman. I will remember the great “overhaul” he did on that barge. Turned it into a masterpiece.
He always marveled at Alex and his computer knowledge. He was “beaming” when he told of his genius with the computer.
I will miss seeing him again. He was a neat caring person. I am sorry for those he left behind. But know that he was a good man and he loved his entire family.
I ask for God’s blessing on his soul and God’s blessing for his family.
Gwynn, it broke my heart when I heard of your husbands passing. I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
What a great man Tom was. I am so glad I met him at MCC. I loved his stories and his great love for his family and friends. I will miss our visits so much, he always brightened our day here. Prayers to the Slavic family during this difficult time.
Gwynn, Alex & family, I was so sorry to hear of your great loss and will remember him as my great neighbor.
My thoughts & prayers are with you
I heard of Tom from a fellow employee at Monarch Papers , interviewed and hired him. I had the pleasure to get to know him and supported Tom when he left for a greater opportunity with Clampitt Papers.
I always enjoyed my time with Tom and strongly believed him to be a GOOD guy.
I extend my condolenecses to all Those Tom has left behind. You have been blessed to know him.
Gwynn, Alex, and family,
Art and I send our deepest sympathy in the loss of Tom. He is now at peace and in no pain. May God be close to you during this time of loss.
Gwynn I am so very sorry for your loss. Please know your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Sending hugs and love.
Frank and Trish Graham
Gwynn, I am saddened to learn of Tom’s passing. He was a great guy and I have many fond memories of him and his jokes. May God bless you with many great memories of you long marriage.
Paula Grimes
Gwynn, Tom always had such a great smile and warm sense of humor. He was always happy talking about his family and playing golf. He brightened up cloudy days with his positivity and we were all blessed to have known him. I wish you the very best as you fondly recall your memories together.
John Fletcher
It makes me happy to see Tom remembered well by so many for the same good qualities for which I remember him. I am so happy that he found a loving family and enjoyed his later years. I met Tom during college and we had 9 adventurous years together, starting careers, going to Spain and Morocco, the Bahamas, designing and building the home at the country club, getting my Master’s degree with his help drilling my studies, buying our party barge, and hosting lots of friends for Tom’s barbecues. Things went awry somehow, and we both found true love later, but looking back, I no longer harbor ill will toward Tom for his indescretions. Reading his obituary and things for which he is remembered certainly brought back fond memories and made me chuckle. I want to share a funny story about his lawn skills! Tom was raised in the country, so that will explain what he did. One spring a couple of years after we had built our home in the country club neighborhood, Tom decided that to have the greenest lawn with no weeds, he needed to BURN the old winter “thatch.” So he set the lawn on FIRE! All of the neighbors and the fire department arrived! Of course, Tom was told that he could not do that again, but after enduring the black, sooty lawn for a few weeks, we did have the greenest lawn that year!!