THOMAS CLENDENIN

It’s hard to sum up the life of a man like Thomas. His dash was long and as you will soon see… Thomas lived, oh how he lived! Thomas Stuart Clendenin was born August 26, 1941 in Columbus, Arkansas. He was the only son of George and Mary Emma Stuart Clendenin. He had one precious sister, Ruth Marie, who we are certain greeted him with arms wide open as he reached Heaven. He was a graduate of Saratoga High School and from there he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he proudly served with the 97th Strategic Air Command Transportation Squad in Goose bay Labrador. Thomas wore many hats. He was a loving husband, father, Poppa, friend, mentor, pastor, boss, and so much more! Thomas is survived by his loving wife, Rebekah. Thomas has three daughters, Renee Omundson, Paula and Monty Fields, and Anginette and Kevin Nason. Many a memory each has of their childhood and the life that Thomas provided for them. His legendary “Dad” jokes will be surely be missed by his girls. He also has three bonus children, Casey Mauldin, Stacey and Mark Spears, and Amanda and Robert Clinard. In addition, Thomas has 19 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and an entire slew of family and friends that adored and looked up to Thomas. Now that is definitely a lot of living and love in his dash! Thomas loved to garden and to smoke the occasional cigar on the back porch of his homestead. He was an avid outdoorsman, an inventor, a tinkerer, player of the guitar, an expert fire builder, and enjoyed an adventure now and then. He loved nothing more than to have a water gun fight in the yard with his grandkids whenever possible and when it came time to relax he could be found in his chair watching youtube or tiktok before taking a quick cat nap. Most importantly, Thomas loved the Lord! Thomas retired from Texarkana Truck Center and, more recently, from Tyson Foods when he sold his chicken houses after over 20 years! He was also an ordained minister, Sunday school teacher, and the Music Director. He could often be found at a “singing or a service” anytime the opportunity was presented to him, rain, sleet, or shine. In spite of his many accomplishments in his life, Thomas would say that the most important one was when he decided to follow Jesus. He loved to share the gospel whenever he could and many people were led to the Lord by him. If he were here today, he would tell each person who hears or reads this the importance of having a relationship with the Lord and that once you’ve got that figured out, everything else will take care of itself. Finally, in life Thomas was an All-American, die hard conservative voter. Please know that will not change with his death. Trump won! Vote Red. Thomas’ family and friends will miss him greatly, however, knowing that one day they will be reunited because of Jesus’ love brings some peace to those who loved him. Until then, live like Thomas… make the most of your dash! Love your neighbor, be kind, stand up for what you believe in, and most importantly love Jesus… that is the best way that anyone who knew him could honor his life and memory. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Old Liberty Community Church, Thomas’ church home. Visitation will begin at 2:00pm Thursday, January 27, 2022 at Old Liberty Community Church, 120 Hempstead 10, Fulton, AR 71838. A Celebration of Life will immediately follow at 3:00pm.