THOMAS LEROY CHAMBERS, JR.
1943-2017
Thomas Leroy Chambers, Jr., beloved husband of Patricia Jackson Chambers and devoted father to his three children, Daniel Jackson Chambers, Matthew Jordan Chambers, and Claire Catherine Chambers, died peacefully Saturday, the 9th of September 2017, at age 74. Tom was a true gentleman, loyal to his family and friends, kind to all, generous of spirit, and always striving to lead a Christian life. Tom was born on the 31st of July 1943, in Laredo, Texas, to Ella Bertha and Thomas Leroy Chambers, Sr., while his father was stationed at Fort McIntosh U.S. Army base in Laredo.
Tom graduated from South Park High School in Beaumont, Class of 1961, where he served as a class officer and yell leader. He then graduated with a degree in Industrial Engineering from Lamar University. While at Lamar he was a class officer, a yell leader, and an officer of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and the Interfraternity Council, among other activities. Tom pursued graduate studies at Purdue University, earning a Master of Business Administration degree.
Tom began his career as an engineer at Bell Aerospace during the moon race era. He then became a Certified Public Accountant, later adding Certifications of Management Accountant, Fraud Examiner, and Internal Auditor.
Tom was a partner with several leading accounting firms during the mergers of the firms from Haskins & Sells, Deloitte Haskins & Sells, and Deloitte & Touche. After then serving as a vice president of a major worldwide energy company, Tom returned to public accounting as a partner with Arthur Andersen. The last decade of his career was spent as a founding Managing Director of Protiviti, a risk management and consulting company. He enjoyed being a team leader and mentoring young professionals.
Tom served on the Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church Vestry where he and Tricia were married 50 years ago. He was a member of the Houston Ballet Board and a longtime member of the Petroleum Club, the Briar Club, and Lakeside Country Club . Tom joined and contributed to many nature and wildlife organizations, his favorite being The Nature Conservancy. He was active in Boy Scouts of America, primarily with the Golden Arrow District Troop 354. He also served the Sam Houston Area Council in several capacities as well as being a member of the Council’s Board of Directors. He enjoyed his travels with the scouts, canoeing the Minnesota Boundary Waters, and hiking at Philmont in New Mexico. He was awarded the BSA Silver Beaver Award for distinguished service to youth. He was proud that both sons were Eagle Scouts.
Tom loved both cultural travel and adventure travel: biking in Scandinavia, skiing in Colorado, kayaking the Texas river ways, and hiking in the Himalayas. His last adventure abroad was an African safari.
During the last few years, Tom enjoyed participating in the Gatherings, an Interfaith CarePartner outreach program, at several Houston places of worship. The Gatherings, a program for people with dementia, allowed him to continue favorite activities: socializing and dancing and dining with friends. He was a wonderful dance partner until the end.
Special thanks are given to Tom’s Christ Church Cathedral family, his friends at Protiviti, and special friends Mary and Ron Robins and Dorothy and Duane McCarthy who gave Tom so much pleasure by including him in so many travels and events. All of these people truly blessed Tom’s journey.
In addition to his wife and children, Tom is survived by his grandson Thomas Stephen Chambers, daughter-in-law Amelia Glasby Chambers, brothers The Reverend Fred Chambers, Jake Chambers, Ray Keonitzer; and nephew Jordan Chambers. and other relatives. He was predeceased by his parents Ella Fojt Chambers and Thomas Leroy Chambers Sr., his grandparents Arleigh Jordan and Roy Francis Chambers, grandparents Olga Sebesta and Joseph Frederick Fojt, and many aunts and uncles.
A memorial service will be held at eleven o’clock in the morning on Saturday, the 21st of October, in the sanctuary of Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Avenue, in Houston, where The Very Reverend Barkley Thompson is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the Sanders Hall at the Cathedral.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family welcomes contributions to Interfaith CarePartners, 701 N Post Oak Road, Suite 330, Houston, Texas 77024 or Sam Houston Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, 2225 North Loop West, Houston, Texas 77002.
For those reading this obituary, please invite someone you know who is dealing with dementia---the diagnosed or their caregiver---to lunch or dinner. (Gospel of Matthew, chapter 25: verse 40).