Thomas Eugene Jeffry Sr.

On Monday August 19 just as the darkest part of the night gave way to the light of a new day, Thomas Eugene Jeffry, Sr. let go of the hand that held his, clasped his hands together, and peacefully let go his final breath. Tom was a multi-generational Californian born in Oakland, California on April 15, 1935.

From a very young age Tom was a person of action, a skilled salesman, and organizer of people. In Kindergarten Tom decided that he would rather see the new Disney movie Dumbo than go to school, so after being dropped off, he casually followed another adult out of the gate, down the stairs to the bottom of the hill, across the street, and then followed movie goers into the Grand Lake Theater. He was eventually discovered by a theater attendant, but he learned that if you look like you belong and have clear purpose in your actions then you can get in the door of most places. A few years later, at the same school, Tom organized the kids from his class to stand up to the boy who was bullying many of them. Tom thought that he was going to have several other kids fight with him, but he learned that others are not always as committed as you think they are. When Tom faced the bully and stood his ground the bully was shocked and when Tom still stood his ground after being hit, he was perhaps worried, and when Tom planted a solid punch in return to the cheers of his by-standing classmates, the bully became afraid and ran off. Tom learned to stand up for what you believe is right and honorable and verify the degree to which others have your back. In middle school he attended St Joseph’s Military Academy in Belmont, CA with his brother Jerry. Tom did very well in Military Academy and rose in the ranks and learned leadership skills that also served him throughout his life. By high school, he and his family had moved to the ranch in Clayton, California.. He and Jerry had an egg business and the boys had daily chores on the ranch before and after school. Additionally, Tom was involved in theater, football, horsemanship, and student council. His Diablo High School Yearbook memorialized his high school nickname “Little Caesar”. On the ranch, as in Oakland, Tom’s grandparents were ever present. His extended family life instilled in him a deep appreciation of the importance of laughter along with love, faith, and family. Tom’s affable nature and impish charm also made him a favorite among his caregivers.

He was the third generation in his family to attend The University of California, Cal. Tom was scouted to play football for Cal, but his father, a well-respected doctor, nixed the idea because he worried about him having too many concussions. Undeterred, Tom found other ways to contribute to his beloved Cal. He participated in the ASUC student government. He joined the Theta Delta Chi Fraternity and later served as the president of the IFC (Inter Fraternity Council). While at Cal he met and made many friends, but the most enduring were his roommate and best buddy Hugh and Tom’s future wife and the truest love of his life, Blenda. Additionally, Blenda’s sorority sister, Sheila also became a member of the Jeffry family when she married Tom’s brother Jerry.

Tom was among the last generation of “Company Men”. After graduating from Cal, Tom took a job with SD Warren Paper Company who brought him and his family to Maine in order to learn all aspects of the paper business. Later S. D. Warren would send Tom to earn his Master’s Degree in Graphic Arts at Carnegie Tech, which became Carnegie Mellon University. Tom’s optimism and infectious personality made him many friends in business and in life. In 1974, work brought Tom from Los Angeles to Boston and his family became long standing members of the Church of the Advent. The family joined Weston Golf Club where they enjoyed continuing athletic endeavors, including a new favorite game, golf. Golf was a great way to socialize with clients, coworkers, family and friends. Tom’s later work years were dedicated to International Paper. He continued the work of selling paper and helped launch a new product for IP. He worked with graphic artists like Jasper Johns, high end magazines like Architectural Digest, and glamorous department store catalogs like Neiman Marcus. He traveled all over the United States for work and all over the world with his wife, for pleasure. His retirement years were dedicated to serving the Church of the Advent, enjoying travel, and playing many games of golf with friends and family.

Tom is survived by his brother Jerry, his children Tom Jr., Annie, and Mindy and their spouses, his grandchildren Adam, Meg, Morgan, Chris, and Erin, and his great-grandchildren Parker, TT (Theresa Thelma), and Teddy. He is also survived by friends and caregivers, especially Adam, and Godfrey and his family, who have become part of our family, too.

Tom and all of our family give thanks to everyone who ever blessed his life. The funeral will be held on September 21st at the Church of the Advent on Brimmer Street in Boston at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his honor to either:
The UC Berkeley Library, https://www.lib.berkeley.edu/give/give-now
National Forest Foundation, https://support.nationalforests.org/campaign/612528/donate?&c_src=WEB&c_src2=TRPT0000WEBOrangeTribute