Thomas "Tom" Clendenen, 95, most recently of Archbold, Ohio,  was welcomed home by His Heavenly Father on March 24, 2024.  We rejoice that he passed peacefully in his sleep after battling heart failure.

Tom was born on November 20th, 1928 to Carl and Opal (Vance) Clendenen in Addison, Ohio. He was the 4th of their 5 children.  Older siblings, Carl, Bob, and Ruth (Chance), and younger brother, Arnold, preceded Tom in death.

Tom met Eva (Knisely) as they attended Olivet Nazarene College (now University).  They wed in September of 1948 and were blessed to share 75+ amazing years!  Anyone privileged enough to spend a little time with this special couple can testify to their mutual love and respect.  Their long marriage demonstrated devotion, partnership, compromise, and walking in their strong and shared faith in God, with an extra helping of humor on top!

Tom and Eva joyfully welcomed daughters Dawn and Vicki - even selecting the same birthday for both girls, just five years apart.  Tom doted on "his three girls".  He was a faithful husband, father, provider, protector, ally, confidante, guide, and spiritual leader for them until the very end.

Tom embraced his roles of grandfather to five grandchildren:  Jason Taylor, Joel Carlough, Jared Carlough, Melissa (Dyer) Starbuck, and John Dyer.  He loved watching his family grow as four great-grandchildren joined the clan:  Caylin (Busse) Nix, Jordan Taylor, Jasper Carlough, and Stella Carlough.  Most recently he's also enjoyed his two young great-great grandsons:  Grayson and Nash. 

Tom often fondly recalled early memories of baseball and basketball with his brothers and then on school teams.  He loved those games, watching as a fan once his participation days ended.  It was a college basketball team trip to Pasadena, CA that first introduced him to the area that would eventually become the family's home.   

He loved to stay active and golf became a lasting passion.  He thoroughly enjoyed golfing nearly every day in retirement for the 21 years they lived in a golf community.  Tom was proud of his lifetime 21 holes-in-one!!  He especially loved when Eva shared the course with him, but had many great golfing buddies over the years, both in California and in Ohio.  Other highlights included golfing in Scotland, being a course marshall meeting some of the greats at Torrey Pines PGA, and never letting any of his grandsons win!

Tom had many passions.  Some include the love of music, travel, and attending plays and concerts.  His early love of music included playing the trumpet and singing in choirs at church and school.  When the girls were young he performed in a barbershop quartet and they loved to see and hear their daddy, all dressed for the part and harmonizing with the guys.  Tom sang in his church choir well into his 90's.  

He was an adventurer at heart and was blessed to have Eva bravely follow along, even to the primitive jungles of Peru for a year.  That was a memorable family experience.  

Tom and Eva visited 26 countries together and traveled extensively throughout the U.S.  They even "wintered" in Alaska one year, house-sitting for a new friend they acquired while on a cruise.  

Tom had a vivacious, outgoing personality, and a big presence, without being overbearing.  He was also kind, thoughtful, generous, gentle, and a great listener.  This unique combination drew and engaged those who knew him.  He maintained long-term, deep friendships.

Raised by a Nazarene Church pastor, Tom initially followed in his father's footsteps.  Even after leaving the ministry to become an elementary school teacher, and ending that beloved career as a principal, he maintained his life of dedication to Christ and continued to be used as a minister of God's love, in church roles over the years.  Tom and Eva headed a large high school ministry for years at Lake Ave. Congregational Church in Pasadena.  Tom also was the visitation minister for his church in Valley Center.  In addition to other official and unofficial positions in the church, in recent years he taught the adult Sunday School class at West Unity Methodist Church.  

Most recently, while being with Eva in Rupp Rehab at Fairlawn, Tom became God's ambassador of love and encouragement to residents (and staff).  He was a living example of being God's vessel to use to bless those around us every day.

To God be the glory - great things He has done!

Tom's family welcomes you to join us as we celebrate his life, our love for him, and God's many blessings.

      West Unity Methodist Church

      Saturday, April 13th @ 1pm

      311 N Liberty St

      West Unity, OH 43570 

Doors open at 12:30.  A meal will be shared following the service.

Tom was dedicated to the support of West Unity Methodist and Olive Branch Church (21431 County Road P, Fayette, OH 43521). He also regularly supported St. Jude's Hospital (www.stjude.org) and St. Joseph's Indian School (P.O. Box 326, Chamberlain, SD 57326  www.stjo.org/give)

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