Thomas Martin “Tom” Conry, 68, of Waco, passed away, Monday, September 11, 2017 after a long battle with cancer.
Visitation: 6 -8PM Thursday, September 14th at Lake Shore Funeral Home.
Funeral Service: 3PM Friday, September 15th at Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow at the China Spring Cemetery, in China Spring.
Thomas, “Tom” was born August 25, 1949 in Clarksburg, West Virginia to Martin Conry and Frances Rearick. Tom spent most of his childhood in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Eventually his family moved to Akron, Ohio where he graduated from Firestone High School. Tom had a deep love of the outdoors and decided to attend Kent State University, majoring in Forestry. Unfortunately, the May 4th, 1970 riots interrupted his education and the school closed unexpectedly. He married Sharon Ann Baum in Cleveland, Ohio, September of 1970 and welcomed his son, David into the world the following year. Uncle Sam decided he needed Tom’s wit and intelligence, so Tom spent 9 years in the Army working for the National Security Agency (NSA). While being stationed in Misawa, Japan, Tom welcomed one of the biggest surprises of his life, his twin daughters. In fact, it was such as surprise to the doctor, that after baby “a” was born, Katie, Tom helped deliver baby “b,” Kelly. With three children to feed and after nine years in the Army, Tom decided to leave the military and find a civilian job. Eventually, he moved to Waco, Texas and earned two degrees from Baylor University (Sic’em Bears!). During his tenure, Tom was an associate pastor at First Baptist Church, China Spring, worked at the Texas Water Commission (now the TNRCC), the Brazos River Authority and taught at Baylor University. Tom retired from the City of Waco two years ago so he could fish, hike the Appalachian Trail, walk his dog, and spend as much time as he could with his grandchildren.
Tom had a love of learning that never ended. He loved reading C.S. Lewis, Emerson, Thoreau, and Robert Frost. He was constantly downloading books on his Kindle Fire knowing he would never read all those books! Above all, Tom was a man of deep conviction and faith. He loved the Lord with all his heart and was not afraid to share his faith. For Christmas he was given a book that highlighted daily a Greek word from the Scripture. And on January 27, 2017 he wrote in his journal “In the past several weeks, there has been a peace at times that is very deep and overwhelming. If things are to continue on this path, then all that can be done is to praise God. That is all that should be done, and thank Him for allowing us to follow His will. We cannot see the way the path leads, nor should we. We are to take each step in faith.” He faced a difficult illness head on with a determination that he would be healed. But he was also a man willing to accept God’s plan for him.
One of Tom’s last entries into his journal read like this:
1st Birthday – 1949, physical
2nd Birthday – 1974, spiritual
3rd Birthday – 2010, First Bone Marrow Transplant
4th Birthday – _________Finally in the presence of Jesus.
We can now fill in that date as Sept. 11, 2017.
Tom was loved and respected by people from all walks of life and he always treated people with the utmost respect. He carried himself with grace, humility and with a true caring nature for all. Tom was deeply loved by all of us and will be sorely missed. We love you Tom and rejoice in the fact we WILL see you again in Heaven.
Tom was preceded in death by his father, Martin Conry of Birmingham, Alabama.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon Conry of Waco, Texas,; son, David, daughters, Katherine, and Kelly and their respective spouses; grandchildren (known as Papa to them): Ethan, Bennett, Emmalyn, Bailey, Sophia, Madelyn, Luc and Zac; mother, Frances, brother and sister-in-law, Terry and Lynn; and many other family members too numerous to list.
Active pallbearers are David Conry, Ethan Conry, William Baum, Matt Ultis, Martin Normand, and David Kerr.
For those choosing to make a donation in Tom’s name, the contribution address is: Lake Waco Wetland Donation, City of Waco Water Utilities, 200 Colcord Ave, Waco, Texas 76707.
Contact Information:
Lake Shore Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Place of Service: Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel , 5201 Steinbeck Bend; Waco, TX 76708
Print Obituary & Condolences
Sharon and family,
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Tom was a great man who earned the respect of anyone who really knew him. His compassion, ethics, and strength of character touched anyone who worked with him. He will be missed. May God grant you peace in his passing and strength in his absence. Our prayers go out on your behalf.
Condolences and prayers for the family from a former coworker at the health department.
Dear Sharon and family,
We grieve with you, but we also rejoice that Tom is in the arms of Jesus.
We pray that you feel our Savior’s loving arms around you.
With all our love and prayers,
Paul and Suzanne Ultis
We are so very sorry for the loss of Tom, who had a beautiful spirit and he was such an amazingly Godly man. Your entire family is in out thoughts and prayers. We love you all.
Megan, Jonathan, Julia and Nathan Ultis
I had the honor of working with Tom at the City of Waco. He left Waco a tremendous legacy with the Lake Waco Wetlands, and his vision will continue for years to come. Truly a remarkable man. Rest in Peace, Tom.
Dear Sharon and family – we are so very sorry for the loss of Tom. We respected and admired everything about Tom and valued the time we spent with him at the City. He was such a decent, respected human being and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your beautiful family.
Sharon and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this time of sorrow.
With my deepest sympathies,
Robin Roemmick-Rogers
To the Best Boss ever!
Tom, you had a dream of creating the Lake Waco Wetlands and because of you, thousands of school children, as well as adults, know all about the wonders of Wetlands. It has been a true honor to carry on your legacy.
I will miss your sense of humor, your ear to bend and your shoulder to cry on.
Your life’s journey is a true inspiration to us all.
I will miss you my friend.
Nora
I am so sorry for your loss. Your dad was such a nice and caring man. He seemed to always have a smile on his face when I saw him anywhere. I know that smile is even bigger now that he is in heaven!
Dave
I am so sorry for your loss. May God Bless you all during this time and always.
Tom was a dear, dear friend who was the most genuinely humble man I ever knew. I count it as one of God’s greatest blessings to me to have had the privilege of knowing Tom, studying the Bible with Tom, hunting with Tom, and working with Tom. God’s peace to all the family.
Oh dear Sharon….I know, you know, there are no words to ease your hurting heart. Our hearts are grieving also. You and Tom have been special to us ever since we got to know you at FBC China Spring. Time, circumstances, just plain “living life” took us apart off and on thru the years, but we always thought of you both fondly. David loved working w/Tom at the City. It’s breaking my heart that I won’t be able to come to visitation or the service, but know that you’re in my heart, thoughts and prayers.
Sharon and Family,
I had the pleasure of working for Tom for several years at the City of Waco. He was my supervisor, my mentor and my friend. To this day, I still recite the best piece of advice he ever gave me. “Always do what is right, but know it is almost never popular.” He will be greatly missed. You have my deepest sympathy.
I am so saddened to hear of Tom’s passing. He was a visionary and the work he did for the Waco Wetlands and the DAP plant have changed the life of Wacoans for generations. God blessed all who knew Tom.
Heaven gained an amazing angel this week. There are not too many people with the strength of character and integrity that Tom had. At the City, he was my colleague, my support, and my role model. May God provide his family with strength and peace. Rest in peace, Tom.
He was one of my favorite teachers ! A great teacher. I really enjoyed his class ! A great man. May he Rest in Peace.
Dear Kelly, Matt, and family,
I’m so very sorry for your loss. Your dad sounds like a really wonderful man… I wish I had known him. I pray that your memories of him, the love & support of your family, and God’s strength & healing power will sustain you through your grief. Peace & love to you all.
Lynda & Pat
Sharon and Family,
I am deeply saddened to hear about Tom. He was a very kind and caring man. My prayers go out to you all. May God’s presence and promise comfort you at this time.
Linda
Sharon: Just got word of Tom’s passing today. You’ll never know how much you and Tom and your kids meant to us. He stood with me through some tough days and issues and you both were a singular blessing to FBC, China Spring. I am so thankful I got to see Tom at our son Stephen’s house several years ago.
God bless you, your children and grandchildren.
Love. Bob and Georgeanne The Wimberlys of Franklin
This second chance came up after my previous message. BW
Tom’s Family: I’m sorry for your loss. Tom was an inspiration to so many people. His legacy will live on at the wetlands and through other aspects of his life and work.
As a grad student at Baylor years ago, my research was conducted at the wetlands and Tom was often there. His passion for the project and the plants in the wetland and on the grounds was infectious. To this day, every time I see buffalo grass in bloom, I think of Tom. The world is a better place because of him!