Thomas C. Chalk, Sr.
January 9, 1943-January 21, 2024 (Age 81)
Thomas Carlyle Chalk, 81, passed away at home on January 21, 2024, following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Tom was born January 9,1943 in San Antonio, Texas, to Homer and Ethel Chalk. Raised in San Antonio and growing up in and around South Texas, he would move with his parents and younger brother, Sam, to California in his teen years when his father was stationed at Travis Air Force Base. Tom was a gifted athlete, excelling at basketball, baseball, and football. His high school years were split between Armijo High School, Vacaville High School, and Johnson High School at Johnson Air Base in Japan, which he graduated from in 1961.
Following high school, Tom returned to Texas to attend Southwest Texas State University, where he played baseball. Upon graduation with his bachelor’s degree he returned to Fairfield, California, for his first teaching job in 1965. This touched off a 36-year career in education with the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District. He would serve as vice principal and principal of several schools. In 1985 he was elevated to the District Office where he served as associate superintendent, among other roles. Education was his passion. He attained a master’s degree from San Francisco State University and a Doctorate in Educational Administration from Nova University.
While working at Fairfield High School, Tom fell in love with registrar Diane Smith. They married in 1972 and had their first child together, Tom Jr., in 1974. The couple welcomed a second son, Ryan, who was born in 1980 and completed the family that includes Tom’s oldest son, Chris, from a previous marriage.
Everyone who was fortunate to know Tom recognized that he was a talented man who had many hobbies. He enjoyed golf, tennis and flying RC airplanes at Lagoon Valley Park. He also took great enjoyment in watching his grandsons play baseball from little league through high school and college.
Tom was born into a musical family. His father was a well-respected bluegrass fiddler in South Texas and music ran through their blood. Tom was an accomplished guitar player and singer. In the mid-1990’s he decided to teach himself how to play the fiddle. Not content to simply play the instrument, he researched how to build them. He loved spending time in his garage workshop and at the time of his death he had completed seven violins and one viola.
From a young age Tom had an interest in rocks and minerals. This was reinforced by his many drives across the desert southwest to visit family in Texas. Tom was a rockhound who sought out mining claims in Oregon, Nevada, and the SoCal desert where he dug for opal, turquoise, quartz crystals, obsidian and more.
Tom’s greatest gift was his three sons and his grandchildren. He took immense pride in the lives they’ve led and their unique and individual achievements.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Homer, and Ethel.
He is survived by his wife, Diane, son Chris (Sabrina), Tom, Jr. (Joyce), and Ryan (Katie) and grandchildren Krysia, Jessica, Brandon, Tyler, Emily, Savannah and step-grandchildren Ryan Carr, Alexzandria, and Zev Balme. He is also survived by his brother Sam, nephews Donny, Corey and Scott and numerous Texas cousins.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at McCune Garden Chapel, 212 Main Street, Vacaville.
