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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Jul '89
Tom Clifft Campbell No.15792 Class of
1946
Died 6 November 1986 in Atlanta, Georgia, aged 64 years
Interment: Atlanta, Georgia |
Tom ended the long train ride from Tullahoma, Tennessee to
the West Point railroad station on a hot July day and thus began
a devotion to Duty, Honor, Country that never faltered. He remained
loyal throughout the years to West Point, his country, his family,
and the high standards he set for himself.
Tom's cadet career began and ended in South Barracks from
plebe to "A" Company commander. Everyone knew "Big
T"-nemesis of some plebes, but in the end, a strict disciplinarian
who built strong character traits in many men. He excelled in
academics due to his keen mind and two tough years as a co-op
at Georgia Tech. It was at Georgia Tech that he joined the Sigma
Chi Fraternity, to which he was faithful all his life.
Tom cut a fine figure of the model cadet, whether it was leading
"A" Company on parade, singing in the choir, or "snaking"
at the hop. The force of his character and personality was ever
present and felt by all with whom he came in contact.
Upon graduating, Tom was assigned to Fort Benning for Infantry
training. He subsequently joined the Army of Occupation in the
Far East Command in Tokyo, Japan. Shortly thereafter, he served
as aide de camp to General Douglas MacArthur's Chief of Staff,
Major General Paul J. Mueller. Tom was esteemed as an outstanding
young officer by his superiors and contemporaries alike, and
his selection for special assignment from among many others of
his rank was a testimonial to his ability.
Upon returning from Japan, Tom resigned his regular commission
and started in business. He moved to Atlanta where he was a successful
business leader for some thirty years. In 1962, Tom became president,
treasurer, and member of the board of directors of Southern Iron
and Equipment Company, a manufacturer of railroad rolling stock.
He later served as president of the railcar division of ITEL
Corporation. Further, he was founder and president of United-American
Car Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Lamson and Sessions
company. In a highly competitive industry, Tom's companies were
successful and always profitable. Tom was active in community
affairs and was invited to join a selective, politically conservative
group of Atlanta's business stalwarts, aptly named "The
Loose Group." In a letter to the members, the following
tribute to Tom was enclosed:
"A sudden, massive heart attack on 6 November 1986 ended
the life of one of our most involved and concerned members. Tom
had no history of any heart problem; indeed, he took good care
of himself and was apparently in excellent health--an illustration,
though certainly one we would wish not to have, of how tenuous
our hold is on this precious thing called life. Some of
us were closer to Tom than others. To those who knew him best,
he was a remarkable, gifted man. He was highly successful in
business, greatly competitive but always highly ethical. He was
a patriot and an outspoken advocate of American values. He loved
his country. He believed in the necessity of a strong national
defense and was a staunch spokesman for the military. Tom loved
this city and gave generously of his time and energy in trying
to make it better. He was a man of deep religious faith who recognized
the true source of all strength and power. He was a family man,
first and always, and left his family a legacy of values and
beliefs which will forever sustain them. This was a unique man
who stood tall among us. We will miss him sorely; we will not
see his likes again. We are all better for the privilege of having
had him amongst us."
It would be very difficult to articulate a finer testimony
to a man's life than this heartfelt tribute to Tom.
Tom's days as a lively bachelor ended when he married Dorothy
Neill of Albany, Georgia, a graduate of Vanderbilt University.
Tom and Dot had a marvelously successful marriage and were devoted
to their three children: Tom III, Gray, and Margaret. Tom may
have been happiest at MonteagIe, Tennessee where he and Dot had
a summer home and were surrounded by family and friends.
Tom was an unusually talented, energetic and engaging individual.
He was of impeccable character and above all an American patriot
in the truest sense of that word. Those of us who knew him had
our lives enriched by his.
- His roommates, Spider Reed and Bill Moore
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