Clinton Thomas

Clinton "Clint" Thomas - devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to scores of people from all walks of life - passed to Glory on November 10, 2022. He went peacefully, at home in Brandon, Florida, with his daughter by his side. He had just turned 88.

Clinton was born to the late Sidney and Elva ("Dee Dee") Thomas, a farmer/entrepreneur and a homemaker, in Austin, Texas, on November 5, 1934. He was immersed in the Christian community that would be his lifelong support from an early age. He lived in south Austin, helped work the family farm, and impatiently dreamed of a different life...somewhere.

That life and meaning was found in the arms and at the side of his only love, the former Carolyn Hudson. After a brief courtship, they married on October 24, 1952. They were 17 years old. The life and meaning he sought lasted over 70 years. They were inseparable. They could argue with the best, but their love was undying, infinite, inexhaustible, and exceedingly rare. They walked straight and true, side by side.

In 1955, Clinton and Carolyn were blessed with a son, Andy. In 1959, a blessed daughter, Kelli, arrived. In 1960, with two small children and a partial plan, they moved to Tampa, Florida, and Clinton's dreams of a different life came true in another way. He relished standing on his own two feet, at the ripe age of 25, in a state half way across the continent, and becoming the family man and provider he longed to be. He worked for McCormick Spice Co. for many years and most of his work life was in the grocery business, but he also bought and transformed several small businesses to great success. He was perhaps most proud that his hard work helped his children attend college and enter into professions. He knew life with a high school diploma was a hard row to hoe.

Clinton loved the Bible, attending church, fishing, board games, sporting events, grilling in the backyard for family and friends, reading Danielle Steele novels, tinkering around the house, sobriety, and talking - oftentimes bluntly, honestly, and directly - with people he cared about. The language was sometimes colorful and he had a knack for telling us exactly what we did not want - but did need - to hear. Magically, he still brought forth laughter and was highly respected by those who truly knew him. He loved counseling people in distress. He was at his best in a calamity or emergency, as he brought calm and optimism to the situation. In the grocery business, he became the traveling psychologist/counselor for the staff...helping them through separation, divorce, abuse, bankruptcy, many of the vagaries of life. He always had time for you. He always saw and heard you. Because he always loved the immortal soul inside you.

Clinton was forced into early retirement due to health challenges and had been compromised for over 15 years. He battled with a cane, then a walker, and then a wheelchair, but he battled to the end. Carolyn became his loving and ever patient caretaker. They remained active in their church - Creekside Church of Christ, formerly known as Bell Shoals Church of Christ - of which they were founding members over 50 years ago. As they supported and loved their church, their church has unconditionally supported and loved them. For that, Clinton was forever grateful.

Clinton loved his family most of all and that included his "in-laws" (he rarely made that distinction). The Hudsons: Alfred and Louise (parents) Don A. Hudson (brother), John Paul Hudson (brother) and their extended family. Alfred, Louise, and Don are reuniting with him now, as are his own parents, Sidney and "Dee Dee." John Paul (who he loved beyond measure) endures. Clinton is also survived by his brothers, Kendall and James Thomas, of Texas, his wife, Carolyn, his son Andy (Alice), his daughter Kelli (Dee Dee), grandchildren Carla (Fred), Kelly, Bethany (James), and Larry (Jewel) and great-grandchildren Arry, Jude, and Katarina.