Tommy Locklair

Tommy Locklair

12-12-1943 - 02-27-2023

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Obituary of Tommy Locklair

Tommy Locklair | Age 79 West Columbia, SC

Tommy leaves behind a wife of 56 years, Terri Elizabeth; sons Collin Alexander, John Wesley, and Stuart Thomas; grandchildren Caroline Elizabeth and Keith Alexander; and sister Magdalene Locklair Reece.

Memorial Service

Saturday, April 15 | 11:00 AM

All Saints Episcopal Church | 1001 12th Street | Cayce, SC 29033

The family invites you to celebrate Tommy at the memorial service and reception following.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to All Saints Episcopal Church or a charity of your choice.

It happened on February 27, 2023:

The silence that Monday morning was broken by the unmistakable melody from my phone which robbed the alarm clock of its usual task. The call seemed shorter than I had imagined it would be.

It was around that same time 56 years ago that our father and mother met. And they fell in love. One month later they eloped and were married. Four years later, the first of three sons was born. The Locklairs. Party of five.

Dad never overheard a conversation to which he couldn’t contribute. And while he can be quoted for many things:

“What’s going on?” | “What is this rated?” | “Be careful.” | “Yes, dear.” | “Ask your mother.” | “I’m proud of you.” | “Love you.”

No one recalls ever hearing him say, “To make a long story short.”

Dad set state records running track at Brooklyn Cayce High School. He was a Vietnam Veteran who served in the Navy on the USS Independence. He coached all three of our soccer teams and helped start the Summerville Soccer Club. Dad was the first person in the car for a family trip. He inadvertently achieved the cleanest chimney in town one Christmas Eve. Dad never let on that he always knew the best present for mom. He had a 30-year career at IBM. He grew restless with retirement and joined Computer Plus for almost two decades.

Dad taught us the meaning of hard work, to be respectful to others, to pursue what makes us happy, and that we’ll learn the most from our mistakes because nobody is perfect. He was a husband, father, granddad, son, brother, uncle, friend, coach, neighbor, and more.

Our father loved his family. We loved him. And losing him really sucks.

 

 

Rest Dad

How to write of you in death,

Knowing each new day is a different kind of breath.

Growing up as a child for you was a little rough,

Became a high school athlete and Vietnam Vet tough.

A man of few words, but just the right amount,

Willing to whoop our butts when it needed to count.

A loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and fierce friend,

Always teaching us that our morals and ethics are not to bend.

Admittedly you were not the smartest around,

You were still the best damn dad anyone could have found.

Growing older your words of advice meant a lot more,

Always being encouraging to allow us freedom to soar.

Now we can only hold our memories and you in our heart,

It's time for you to rest Dad and enjoy God's best part.

- Stuart Thomas Locklair

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Saturday
15
April

Memorial Service

11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Saturday, April 15, 2023
All Saints Episcopal Church
1001 12th Street
Cayce, South Carolina, United States