Thomas Teague McClintock

Thomas Teague McClintock, 80, of Murphysboro, passed away at home Saturday afternoon, April 26, in the arms of his family. Thomas was born on September 29, 1933, in Chicago to Thomas S. McClintock, originally of Herrin and Jean Teague McClintock, of Benton. When he was three years old, the family moved back to Southern Illinois. His dad was a pharmacist and owner of Walgreen’s stores in DuQuoin, Fairfield and Carbondale. “Tommy Teague” lettered in football and basketball and graduated a semester early from Fairfield High School. Tom, a witty storyteller with great respect for his family’s Scottish and Irish heritage, “If it’s too tough for everyone else, it’s just right for us.” He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1953 and spent four years of active duty as an officer stationed in Newfoundland, Canada. Lt. McClintock was a navigator with the 91st Air Refueling Squadron, flying from the Arctic to the U.S., Europe and the Middle East. At the time of his honorable discharge from the reserves in 1969, he had attained the rank of captain. Thomas married June White at Ernest Harmon AFB in April, 1957. He earned a B.A. degree from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 1959. In his 40-year career as a computer programmer and systems analyst, he held positions including director of data processing for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and the St. Louis Junior College District, and worked for Gerber Baby Food, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Northrop Aircraft, and for the Torrance, CA Unified School District. Thomas married Joanne Long in Springfield, IL, on August 27, 1977. She survives, as does their son, Thomas James McClintock, a Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army at Ft. Leavenworth, KS; his daughter-in-law, Miranda Luanne McClintock,; his granddaughters, Isabella Anne and Allyson Grace McClintock; his nieces, Abbie McClintock of Orlando, FL and Sarah (Drew) Frandy of Longwood, FL, and their mother, Peggy (Jerry) Waller of Longwood; his great-nieces, Amanda and Bridget Nau and Summer and Shelby Frandy of Longwood, and Shannon and Megan McClintock of Williamsburg, PA; his nephews, Sam (Cindy) of Williamsburg, and Joe McClintock and his wife, Cindy Cottle of Raleigh, NC, and their four sons; and cousins Judy Powless and Nancy Stringer of Flora, George (Deanna)Tomlinson of West Frankfort, and Frances Gilliam of Creal Springs. He was preceded by his parents; his son, Jonathan Paul McClintock; his brother, James Patrick McClintock; his sister, Frances Ann McClintock; his nephew, Andy McClintock; his cousins, William Kraft and Richard Gilliam, husband of Frances. Thomas’s family was his top priority and greatest joy. He was very proud of Jonathan, who graduated from California State University Long Beach, held a key position for Casio Phonemate, and was an accomplished musician, lyricist, and music minister. After the two Toms and Joanne returned to Southern Illinois from 14 years in California in 1992, Thomas T. worked for United Way and was active in the SIU Alumni Association. He mentored Thomas J. in his sports, sometimes serving as a coach, and attending every baseball, basketball and soccer game in which he played. He took great pleasure in telling of young Tom’s no-hitters, his record-tying eight three-pointers at Murphysboro’s 2001 West Frankfort championship game, and his distinctions in the Army. He was delighted when he became a grandfather for the first time at age 78. In February, he helped Isabella celebrate her second birthday, and he took pleasure in all of Allyson’s accomplishments. Thomas T. was skilled a family historian, recounting the adventures of his maternal grandfather, Charles B. Teague of Benton, a fiddler and self-educated lawyer, and telling of stories of his dad, as a 15-year-old Boy Scout, helped survivors of the 1925 Tri-State tornado. Thomas T. was also a faithful fan of Joanne’s music, assisting in her fiddling classes at John A. Logan College and attending every performance of the Roundup Gals and the Smoky Hollow String Band. His life will be celebrated at a service at 1:00 pm Saturday, May 10, at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton. Flowers are welcome, as are donations to National Right to Life, Hospice of Southern Illinois, the Poshard Foundation, and St. Francis Animal Care and will be accepted at the funeral home or on the day of services. Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Thomas Teague McClintock

September 29, 1933 - April 26, 2014