- Born on: February 3, 1945
- Departed on: March 25, 2024
- Resided in: Davenport, IA
Thomas "Tom" Candler
Thomas “Tom” Candler, 79, of Davenport, passed away on Monday, March 25, 2024 at his home surrounded by his loving family. A celebration of life gathering was held on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at the Rock Island Arsenal. Tom refused any form of visitation but we were so blessed by the honor guard.
Tom was born on February 3, 1945 to Robert and Lois (McFadden) Candler in Santa Maria, California and graduated from Texas A&M. He married Carol L. Semsch Jennings.
After graduating from college Tom immediately joined the Army. Where he quickly rose up the ranks to become a major in the United States Army 1st Airborne Division. Tom proudly served in the US Army for over 20 years as a Major, serving as a "boots on the ground" respected leader in charge of many men. Tom was not one to send his men to do something he wouldn't do so he would go down into Viet Cong tunnels first, to either flush out the enemy or disarm mines. He was also awarded the bronze star. Upon retirement he moved back to San Antonio and started a long and successful career as a pharmaceutical rep working for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals while living in San Antonio, Tx. Soon he was transferred to Iowa to manage a team of young pharmaceutical reps to grow the Midwest area and soon he was promoted to the Washington D.C. area as the manager of the Eastern United States and Europe. We moved to Sterling Virginia to be close to Walter Reed and the government where he and Carol lived in Sterling and Fairfax, Va for the next 9 years.
They were fortunate to live in the D.C. area when it was safe and enjoyable to be there. After a few years we were able to transfer back to the Quad Cities where Tom continued in a consulting capacity for a few years.
Tom was an avid Texas A&M alumni, an (Aggie) fan through and through and football season was his favorite time of year.
Left to honor his memories are his wife, Carol Lynn Candler, he had one daughter, Christi Candler Phillips (Andy Hill) of Lighthouse Pointe, Fl; step children – Kami N. Wall (Andy Wall) of Bettendorf and Brooke N Thoma (Aaron Thoma) of Durant,; grandchild, Ryleigh Phillips; step grandchildren, Annalise Wall of Grimes, Andrew Wall of Iowa City; Max, Gus, Louis Thoma, all of Durant. His sisters Terre Beech of Des Moines and Temple Candler of Bullhead City, AZ and a very special niece Natalie Gergler, Spotsylvania, VA.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; and one nephew. May they rest in peace.
Memorial donations may be directed to St Jude's Childrens Hospital, Coram Deo Bible Church, Davenport, Iowa.
Tom was born on February 3, 1945 to Robert and Lois (McFadden) Candler in Santa Maria, California and graduated from Texas A&M. He married Carol L. Semsch Jennings.
After graduating from college Tom immediately joined the Army. Where he quickly rose up the ranks to become a major in the United States Army 1st Airborne Division. Tom proudly served in the US Army for over 20 years as a Major, serving as a "boots on the ground" respected leader in charge of many men. Tom was not one to send his men to do something he wouldn't do so he would go down into Viet Cong tunnels first, to either flush out the enemy or disarm mines. He was also awarded the bronze star. Upon retirement he moved back to San Antonio and started a long and successful career as a pharmaceutical rep working for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals while living in San Antonio, Tx. Soon he was transferred to Iowa to manage a team of young pharmaceutical reps to grow the Midwest area and soon he was promoted to the Washington D.C. area as the manager of the Eastern United States and Europe. We moved to Sterling Virginia to be close to Walter Reed and the government where he and Carol lived in Sterling and Fairfax, Va for the next 9 years.
They were fortunate to live in the D.C. area when it was safe and enjoyable to be there. After a few years we were able to transfer back to the Quad Cities where Tom continued in a consulting capacity for a few years.
Tom was an avid Texas A&M alumni, an (Aggie) fan through and through and football season was his favorite time of year.
Left to honor his memories are his wife, Carol Lynn Candler, he had one daughter, Christi Candler Phillips (Andy Hill) of Lighthouse Pointe, Fl; step children – Kami N. Wall (Andy Wall) of Bettendorf and Brooke N Thoma (Aaron Thoma) of Durant,; grandchild, Ryleigh Phillips; step grandchildren, Annalise Wall of Grimes, Andrew Wall of Iowa City; Max, Gus, Louis Thoma, all of Durant. His sisters Terre Beech of Des Moines and Temple Candler of Bullhead City, AZ and a very special niece Natalie Gergler, Spotsylvania, VA.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; and one nephew. May they rest in peace.
Memorial donations may be directed to St Jude's Childrens Hospital, Coram Deo Bible Church, Davenport, Iowa.
