Thomas Stacks was born July 14, 1952 in Chicago, Illinois. He spent much of his childhood overseas, as his father’s military career continued. The family moved to Lawton, Okla., in 1963, and Thomas graduated from Eisenhower High School in Lawton in 1970. He attended Oklahoma State University, where he earned his Bachelor’s and Masters degrees in Psychology. He served in the Air Force from April 1975 to October 1976, when he received an honorable medical discharge. He managed the Geriatric Psych ward at Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville, Ark., for a few years.
Thomas later established a private family counseling practice in Oklahoma City, helping low income families and children. In 1997, he and a partner ran a clinic for needy school children in conjunction with OU Children’s Hospital in OKC.
In 2011, Thomas moved to Holiday Island, Ark. While there, he had a private practice for the Eureka Springs area.
He also enjoyed his part-time employment at the Crescent and the Basin Park Hotels, leading ghost tours and telling fireside tales as Major Tom.
He was an avid reader, reading two or three books a week. His favorite authors were Tom Robbins, Hunter S. Thompson, and Carlos Castaneda. He loved listening to music, marching in or driving his Jeep in Eureka parades, talking philosophy, religion and often politics. He was proud of his beloved daughters and adored his grandchildren, who called him Poppy. Driving in his Jeep through the Arkansas hills and valleys was pure joy to Thomas. Throwing horseshoes with the Kansas Street guys was something he looked forward to. His recreational activities included canoeing on the Illinois River, camping out, and traveling. He went skydiving once and participated in the Women’s March in Denver this year.
Thomas loved being around people and helping people, from children to senior citizens, but he also enjoyed quiet and solitude in his mix of life activities. He will be missed, and he will also remain with us.
Row, row, row your boat… life is but a dream.
GO POKES!
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lt. Col. Robert Stacks and Jean Stacks. He is survived by his daughters, Skyler Catania and husband, Todd, and Chelsea Baker and husband, Tarren, of Edmond, Okla., grandchildren Cruz Catania, Presley Catania, and Bennett Baker of Edmond; brothers Bob and Michael, sister Terry, all from the Kansas City area, ex-wife Vicki of Edmond; many cousins, nieces and nephews, and The Chelsea’s Family in Eureka Springs.
His body has been cremated, and his spirit soars! There will be a memorial celebration at Chelsea’s Pub in Eureka Springs on May 21 from 1 – 4 pm. Memorial donations should be made to any movement working toward the early removal of 45 from office.