Thomas Clark Obituary

Thomas Goin Clark, Jr passed away peacefully on October 5, 2025 at the age of 92. Tom was born in the Texas Panhandle town of Shamrock on November 18, 1932 to Thomas Goin Clark, Sr. and Bertha Connell Clark. The family moved to Amarillo, Texas in 1940 where Tom went on to graduate from Amarillo High School in 1950. While in high school, he was active in sports, participating in track and field, tennis and Golden Gloves boxing.

While living in Amarillo, Tom met Harriett Kendall and they later married in 1954. Tom and Harriett had two children, Thomas Goin (Scooter) Clark III and Chris Kendall Clark. Shortly after Chris was born, the family relocated to Austin, Texas where he lived for the rest of his life. In Austin, he attended the University of Texas and during that time started his career working for the State of Texas. Initially he worked for the State Comptroller's office before going to work for the Texas Secretary of State office where he spent the bulk of his career. While working for the Secretary of State, Tom headed up the Staff Services Division before transferring to the Elections Division. As an Elections employee, Tom loved traveling throughout the state hosting elections schools to educate local officials on rules and regulations involved in administering elections. Tom finished his 40 year career at the State of Texas working the last few years at the Texas Ethics Commission.

In 1971, Tom met the love of his life, Rebecca Ann Murphy. After a brief courtship, Tom and Becky married 28 years later in 1999. They shared a passion for University of Texas football, country-western music and dancing at the Broken Spoke, snow skiing throughout Utah and Colorado, traveling that included trips to Europe, the Holy Land, Tahiti, California, North Carolina, and an occasional junket to the casinos in Biloxi, Mississippi.

However, as important as all these things were, nothing defined Tom more than his devotion to family; his wife, mother, sisters, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. These strong feelings were equally shared by a family who adored him. They all made regular trips to Austin to spend quality time with Tom and Becky at their Lakeway home. Tom loved to cook for his guests and nowhere was this more evident than his annual Christmas Eve feast of brisket and tamales followed the next day by a traditional Christmas dinner, most of which he prepared himself. He continued to do this all the way through his last year at the age of 92! He was the true patriarch to his family.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents Tom Clark, Sr. and Bertha Clark, along with his sister Connie Red. He is survived by his wife Becky, sister Nancy Jo Frazier, son Tom Clark III and his partner Michele Marler, daughter Chris Hall and her husband Alan. Surviving grandchildren are Ryan Clark and her partner Patrick Vines, Kim Ward and her husband Cooper, Allison Bergmann and her husband Chris, Stephen Hall and his wife Kamryn. Additionally, surviving great grandchildren are Austin Ward, Hudson Ward, Blaire Bergmann, Paige Bergmann and Max Bergmann along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 17 at Lakeway Church, 2203 Lakeway Blvd. Lakeway, TX. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Austin Pets Alive.