Thomas James Cradick, Sr.

Thomas James Cradick, Sr., aged 86, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on November 7, 2025.

Born on July 18, 1939, in St. Louis, Tom was the only son of the late James Thomas (“Jim”) Cradick and Mary Louise Cradick. Tom's strong competitive spirit was evident early in his life. Tom graduated from Labouré High School, excelling at both soccer and basketball. He furthered his education and played collegiate basketball at St. Louis University and St. Benedict's College. While in college, Tom met the love of his life, Carol Anne Dillon, by the jukebox at the St. Louis University Campus Club, where he “suggested” which song she should play.

Tom and Carol married in 1965 and moved from St. Louis to Denver, where they started their family. In Denver, Tom launched a vibrant and successful career as a manufacturer’s sales representative in the ladies' fashion shoe industry. This career spanned decades and later moved him to Atlanta, Memphis, and back to Atlanta again in 1978. Tom was a proud member of the National Shoe Travelers and was renowned by clients and fellow “shoe dogs” for his fashion flair, meticulous attention to detail, and quick wit. His career was highlighted by a memorable incentive trip to Italy with the Bandolino salesforce. Tom was a cherished fixture at the Atlanta Shoe Shows, often entertaining clients and friends at his home.

Tom was a man of great conviction and lived life with enthusiasm. He was strong-willed and held the unwavering belief that there is always "a right way to do things." Tom was famously funny; people were drawn to him and loved to laugh around him, even when he was poking fun at them. His extreme generosity with all things was well-known among those who knew him. Tom especially loved spending time with his extended family and grandchildren at his home and pool, and enjoyed organizing well-stocked beach expeditions on family trips. He was an enthusiastic supporter of many sports, but especially those of his children and grandchildren. He attended countless soccer, hockey, lacrosse, basketball, and volleyball games, golf matches, and even an occasional band concert or dance recital.

In the breaks between work travels, Tom was constantly busy with DIY projects, such as restoring cars or working with Carol on many home improvement projects. Tom understood how things worked and how to fix them. He was always active and constantly busy rehabbing, building, antiquing, creating, or crawling around on the roof, and he was a fixture at his local Home Depot store. Tom also loved cars—especially antique convertibles. Although he preferred not to ask for help, Tom was often the first to help others. People often called him for help or advice on fixing things or asked to borrow items from his vast collection of tools. He always had extras of everything on hand, as his personal motto was, "It is better to have and not need than to need and not have."

Tom leaves behind his cherished wife of 60 years, Carol; his son, Thomas (TJ) Cradick, Jr. (Stephanie); his daughter, Rebecca Farber (Ken); and three beloved grandchildren, Nathan and Allie Farber, and Clementine Cradick. He is also survived by his sisters, Carolyn Cradick Mimlitz (Jack) and Mary Cradick Linkul (Larry) of St. Louis, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. Tom also had numerous cousins and friends throughout the years, with whom he maintained relationships across time and distance.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 1406 Hearst Drive, Brookhaven, GA 30319, on December 12, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. The family will have a visitation starting at 10:30 a.m. in the church narthex. Tom will be laid to rest in the church's Columbarium with a reception to follow in Moylan Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that “honor donations” be made in his name to support diabetic research at Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), PO Box 5021, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5021, or made online at: https://bit.ly/HonorTJC. Contributions will honor Tom's spirit of generosity and his enduring legacy of helping others.