Clyde Thomas Hales

Clyde Thomas {Tom/Tommy} Hales, 89, of Tampa, FL, passed away peacefully in his home in the early morning of October 16, 2023. Tom is at peace in Heaven now with his family members and friends who went before him.

Tom was the first-born son of Clyde Charles and Georgia Laverne Hales. He was born in a house in Webster, Florida. The Hales family lived on a farm and soon welcomed his brother Jessie Joe and sisters Celene and Barbara Ann, who all predeceased him. Tom moved to Tampa in the third grade. He later attended Hillsborough High School, where he met the love of his life Shirley Gates. He was a talented football player and track star who ran hurdles. Tom was selected to the all-city and county teams, and was a first-team all-American football player. Upon graduation, he had scholarship offers to 32 different colleges. After graduating in 1952, Thomas attended The Citadel before deciding to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Air Force serving in Panama, the Azores, and Puerto Rico. Tom was a Patriot who had a deep love for America. He loved airplanes and enjoyed serving his country. Tom later received his private pilot's license after leaving the Air Force.

In 1953, he married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Ann Gates. The couple resided in Tampa and raised four children, Barbara, Brenda, Rhonda, and Tommy. After seven (7) dedicated years of military service, Tom joined his father and beloved brother Joe in the cabinet and millwork business. For almost 40 years, Tom and Joe ran a successful cabinet business in Tampa. They put cabinets in the majority of the Brandon subdivisions and later in the downtown Tampa high rises, and in many prominent Tampa homes. The customers of Hales Cabinets and Century Custom Cabinets would wait for them to build their cabinets as their high-quality product was in high demand. Tom employed several employees who were then able to support their families.

Tom immensely enjoyed traveling the world with his beloved wife Shirley from Australia to Egypt and countries all over Europe. Tom enjoyed quail and deer hunting, and fishing with his lifelong friends from middle school and high school. The group took trips out West and hunted all over Florida. Tom’s dear friend and hunting buddy, Harry Combs, preceded him in death almost 3 years to the day. Tom leaves behind a fellow hunter and treasured friend, Dan Noland.

Tom held many roles in his life, from loyal friend to successful business owner, but his proudest role was being the patriarch of his family. His family could always count on him for his unconditional love and unwavering support. Tom will forever be remembered for his unmatched generosity, kindness, and dedication to his loved ones.

Tom loved Tampa and referred to it as "his city by the bay". From a young age, he became immersed in the city, as he began selling newspapers in Ybor City as a boy. Tom lived and worked in Tampa for almost 80 years.

Tom loved Cuban sandwiches, deviled crabs, and a good cigar. He also loved to cook and made a great steak, famous spaghetti, chicken soup, and several other delicious dishes.

Tom loved baseball. While stationed in Puerto Rico, he learned from professionals and passed the game on to his son and grandson. He never missed one of his grandson's baseball games, and took him to most of his practices.

Each and every one of Tom's nine (9) grandchildren could tell a story about a unique skill he passed onto them.

Tom was a big believer in education and put every single one of his children through college, as well as assisting his grandchildren with their education.

We will miss his dynamic larger than life presence, and his calm voice that let us know he could handle any problem we brought to him.

We are grieving immensely, but we find peace in the fact that he led a full robust life, with the love of his family and friends. He set a great example for all of us on how to live; evidenced by how much he was loved by so many people. We find peace in the fact that we will be together with him again in Heaven.

Thomas is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 70 years, Shirley Hales, and four beloved children, Barbara (David) Nonell, Brenda (Jim) Cabage, Rhonda Crowder, and Tom (Bobbi) Hales, niece Cindi Phelps, and several great nephews, nieces, and cousins in Alabama. His remaining family also includes his cherished grandchildren, Tiffani (Douglas) Sander, Eric (Cathy) Bryan, Kristen (Michael) Laboy, Darlene (Alex) Laird, Marlon Crowder, Melissa (Nick) Burchell, Brooke Hales, Nolan Hales, and Katie Hales; as well as his much-loved great-grandchildren, Cale Bryan, Jackson Bowman, Piper Bowman, Ryland Sander, Bennett Sander, Eli Burchell, Courbat Laird, and January Laird. Thomas is also survived by his neighbors and dear friends, Ret, Hilary, and Erica Tanner.

Thomas’ family will host a celebration of life on Friday, November 3, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. The service will be held at Blount & Curry Funeral Home (Bearss Avenue) in Tampa. There will be a ceremony to follow at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Thomas’ name to The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.blountcurrycarrollwood.com for the Hales family.