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15792 Campbell, Tom Clifft
September 10, 1922 - November 06, 1986

usma1946



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
 
 
Personal Eulogy
deceased 

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