Thomas R. Clark

America’s game is baseball. For some it’s more than a game: it’s church. A dirt-covered, grass-bordered, and chalk-lined diamond is an invaluable space of serenity, especially for players that are not only competing against an opposing team, but that are also battling unseen foes.

Tommy in his youth, but TC to most, Thomas R. Clark joined the League of Life on September 12, 1951 to Roy and Jacqueline (Brady) Clark along with his siblings James, Connie, and Ronald. His seasons were filled with improving his athletic skills, as well as his incomparably sharp wit. His youth was spent stealing moments with his buddies playing ball at Proctor Field in Peoria’s historic SouthSide while dodging discipline at St. Pat’s Catholic School. Advancing to second, Tommy completed his formal education at Manual High School. He met the love of his life when he was a Ram, and he was forever proud of both. Never one to back down from a dare, or say no to his mom, TC asked Karen to Prom the morning of the dance, even though they weren’t dating and were barely friends. She said yes, and although that was the height of their high school romance, they met back up at Ernie’s Dairy Dream a few years later and started a family.

Heading to the third phase of the game, TC’s adulthood was buoyed by the presence of competition as a backdrop for Life’s philosophies on parenting. He had an abundance of aphorisms that were laced with truth and heavily dosed with humor (many of which are not suitable for print!). When it came to competing, his thirst for success was unmatched and he was unforgiving if an official was subpar in their knowledge of the game. During one “enthusiastic” exchange in which Blue demanded if he thought he knew more than the umpire, TC quipped, “I forgot more baseball than you’ll ever know.” That type of humorous response occasionally earned him an exit ticket from the game, sometimes the facility, and once: the whole town! Due to his notoriously ornery streak, Karen refused to bestow the initials TC on their sons, Steve (Amy) and Shane (Megan); instead, leaving those letters for their daughters Tara (Mike) and Tammy. Playing fastpitch softball with the 4-man exhibition team “Jack and the Jesters” in the U.S. and Canada, as well as throughout Illinois with his friends and fellow laborers, the ball field was the medium that grew the Clark family.

His gruff mannerisms belied a soft soul that would share a plate of steak & eggs with family pets and a spiritual connection that wasn’t found in rituals and stained glass buildings. Young children, with their honesty and chaotic silliness, sparked a hopeful light in TC and it burned brightest with the arrival of 14 grandchildren and great grandchildren. Even so, making it all the way around the bases unscathed was tough for TC as demons that he battled throughout the game of Life started gaining ground. He ended up safe at Home surrounded by his children on Saturday, July 12, 2025.

His children would love to share memories and laughter with everyone who knew him at a celebration on Sunday, July 20 from 2:00 – 6:00 pm at the Alpha Park Clubhouse in Bartonville, IL.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the “TC Memorial” that will go toward the installation of a bench to be placed near the Alpha Park ball fields that TC built, maintained, played on, and umpired. The hope is that others will use it to help share their own legendary stories as well.

Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel are entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.Davison-Fulton-BartonvilleChapel.com