Thomas Cronan Obituary

Dear Joan and Family,

We were so sorry to hear about Tom's death. We always remember the many fun times we had at UT and what a wonderful family you had. I was also reminded of the time we came to visit you in Louisiana. It certainly doesn't seem possible that that much time has gone by.

Tom was just such a wonderful example for all to follow and I know he will be greatly missed!

Know that we are thinking of you. Alan and Judy Patterson

Dearest Joan,

Tom was one of the true gentlemen and scholars with whom I had the opportunity to study a UT. He has made an impression on a world of people.

Love,

Murphy Osborne

Dear Joan,



We were so sorry to learn of Tom's death but so thankful for the impact his life had on so many. His love for Christ and his family will live on for generations to come.



Our lives are far richer by having been blessed with your and Tom's friendship during our time at CNC. Our love and prayers are with you as you face each new day.



Julia & Terry McMahan

Joan,

I am so glad I had the opportunity to accompany Tom part way on his motorcycle journey across Florida.

A special place will always remain in my heart and memory.

Sincerely,

Dave Rice

To you all, I can not tell you what fond memories I have of your family. Please know I am thinking of you all and praying for comfort.You will have so many tremendous things to tell those precious kiddos about their "poppy".

Much love,

Sarabeth Teague Banks

[email protected]

It was a wonderful experience having Tom accompany my group for an overnight stay on Mt LeConte during the winter of 2005. His stories of backpacking the Appalachian Trail were delightful! Tom will be missed very much by all including the hiking community. My condolences to his family.

Joan, Stacey and Kristi...Everyone who met Tom were blessed by having met him. He touched lives in a unique and unforgettable way. He always allowed the Holy Spirit to shine through him and we, who knew and loved him, will forever be grateful to be able to remember him.



Tom and I are so sorry for your grief and we pray for comfort from God for each one of you. We love you all.



Carole & Tom Ireland

Dear Joan,



I was so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. He was such a kind and friendly person and I'm sure he was a wonderful husband and father who will be missed by you and the children.



With love,



Jane McClure

Dear Joan & Family,



Kathy and I were deeply saddened to learn of Tom's death. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Joan,



Our condolences to you and your family on the passing of Tom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May your memories of his life and vitality in better times help sustain you through this difficult time.



Warm regards,

Chuck and Nancy Maland

Joan,

My most deepest sympathies go out to you, Kristi, Stacey and the rest of the family. The Celebration of Life ceremony was wonderful and showed Tom as the man that he was and the impact he made on so many people. Dr. Fields' George Bailey analogy was right on the nose.

Please know you have so many friends that hurt for your loss.

Many thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.

Tom Cronan was among the more caring people I have ever known. Every time I came in contact with him I felt like he was genuinely interested in how I was doing. The world would be different place if there were more Tom Cronans inhabiting it. My deepest sympathy to the family.

Joan and family



I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family.

Joan--Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time of family loss. OED Staff

Joan,

May the loving grace of God comfort you during this time. We will carry you in our hearts.

Gary and Connie Baskette

Dear Joan,

May our Heavenly Father God bless you and give you strength daily as you grieve the loss of Tom. May your christian community embrace you with love. Our prayers are with you.

Joan, Kristi & Stacey,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts & prayers are with you all.

Joan,



I am very sorry to hear about Tom's death. I am Tom's cousin here in Baton Rouge (Tom's dad and my mother (Doris Cazes Gaudin) were cousins. I remember Tom playing sports here in the Baton Rouge area back in the late 50's and early 60's for Istrouma (his high school). Please pass on our prayers to his brother Jerry also. We will keep his family in our prayers......!

Joan, Kristi, & Stacey - You have been in our thoughts since Friday, with the loss of Tom, and all of the many ways he touched your lives. It was such a priviledge to know him. He will be missed by all of us. Our love and prayers are with you and the grandchildren.

Joan & Family members:



I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Dear Joan:



Carolyn and I were greatly saddened to learn of the loss of your devoted husband and soulmate Tom.



On behalf of your and Tom's many friends in UT Alumni Chapter of the Central Savannah River Area, please accept our heartfelt condolence and appreciation for the times you and Tom have honored us with your visits.



We pray that He who never sleeps and is everpresent will strengthen and guide you and your family during the difficult days ahead without Tom.



Please accept our deepest sympathy,



Lt.Col.George W. Ogles, USAF, Ret.

Chapter Past President

Stacy and Kent: So sorry to hear of your loss. We only have one father, and it hurts to lose him.

Steve and Kris (P&Y) Wageman

Thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Joan and family, I am sorry to hear of Dr. Tom's Passing. The Alum Cave Bluff Trail to the lodge will not be the same without him.

I am so sorry to hear of your family's loss. Dr. Tom was an inspiration to many people, including my wife and myself. He will be sorely missed. Our hearts and prayers go out to your family during this time of grief.

Dear Stacy,



I am so sorry about the death of

your father. May God give you

inner peace that only He can give

during these days of sorrow.



Paula Settle

Joan, Kristi and Stacey, I am so saddened to hear of your loss. I know that words won't make things any easier, but they can show how deeply other people care about your family.

Dear Joan and family,

There really are no words that can express how deeply I feel about Tom's death. He was a very special person in my life, and in the lives of many others. I have written a poem in dedication to Tom. He had a major impact on my career at Carson-Newman, and also in my life. I know that I am not the only person who would understand what I have to say.



"Remembering Tom"



When I think of Tom, so many thoughts come into mind.

He was gracious, he was caring, he was loving and so kind.



Tom freely opened his heart to everyone he knew.

If you needed a helping hand, he was always there for you.



He was a wonderful listener, I think we'd all agree.

He had a rare and special gift that all of us could see.



Tom wasn't just a gentleman, he was a gentle man.

He showed people that he cared, and that was probably God's plan.



There are so few people who have touched so many hearts.

I believe that here on earth, he was assigned a special part.



He was such a motivator, and had energy galore.

It's really sad to think we won't see that anymore.



But, truly if Tom's parting has left a saddened void,

He would say "please fill it now with remembered joy".



If you were feeling down, he would share a smile or laugh.

If your burden was too heavy, he'd try to lighten it by half.



Tom never based an opinion on someone else's word.

He never made snap judgements on anything he heard.



It's been said he had more friends than anyone can count.

I would never even try to guess the full amount.



He never met a stranger; considered everyone a friend.

I bet if you tried to make a list, the list would never end.



Tom, by example, showed us how we ought to tive,

By embracing each day fully, by knowing when to forgive.



So many times we'll miss him, and so many times we'll cry.

If love alone could have saved him, he never would have died.



I feel somewhat selfish, because I didn't want to see him go.

But now I understand, accept, and really truly know...



That Tom is in a better place, smiling from above,

Embracing us with memories and always with his love.



(Written in honor of Tom Cronan, by Karen Krall Constantine, August 18th, 2006)

My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Dr. Cronan was a true blessing to me as a student at Carson-Newman College and after. I will carry his wisdom in teaching with me always. Praise God for the testimony of Dr. Cronan. God's Peace be with you.

From, Lisa Havely-Ulrich (class of '93).

Dear Jackie, LeRoy and family:

We are sorry for the loss of Jackie's brother and relieved that he is no longer suffering. Please know that our prayers are with you and Tom's family.

God bless.

With love and sympathy,

Richard & Linda McLellan

Joan, my prayers are with you and your family over the loss of your outstanding husband and father. May your faith, family, and friends give you strength during this heartbreaking time.

With love,

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. Dr. Cronan was such an inspiration. As an educator and motivator, he so positively influenced our lives, but more importantly, he was a dear friend to our family. We were very blessed to have had him in our lives.