Thomas Jay Cloud

Thomas Jay Cloud passed away on December 4th, 2020, after a short battle with COVID-19. Tom was born January 6th, 1946, in Jay, Oklahoma. He soon moved to Oklahoma City, where he would spend the majority of his life. He attended Northwest Classen High School and graduated from the class of 1964. He went on to attended the University of Oklahoma for a short time before joining the Navy in 1967. He served as a Mineman in Japan before returning to OU, where he completed a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Design and a Master's degree in Architecture. He was an active member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and remained lifelong friends with his fraternity brothers. Throughout his career as an architect, he completed many brilliant projects, which incorporated elements of nature and were inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright and Bruce Goff. He loved to teach and share his knowledge with others. Tom was served as an architect for the United States Department of Treasury. Over the years, he taught English to Japanese students in Japan, architecture at Oklahoma State University, and math and technology to middle and high school students at Milwood, Jackson, and Lexington public schools. Until his death, his happiest moments were with his children and friends. He had a passion for music, especially the blues. He could often be found at the Blue Door sitting on the front row. If you knew Tom, you knew better than to call him on weekends after 1pm and interrupt the Weekend Blues show. He loved his dogs like they were his kids, often calling them, "the smartest and cutest of the children." Tom's sense of humor was like no other. He was a story-teller who would make you laugh until you cried. No one knew how to deliver a punchline better than Tom. He loved to eat and would be thrilled if everyone had lunch at Leo's or a Johnnie's Burgers in his honor. Save your hot link for dessert. He lit up a room when he walked in and lifted up those around him. Despite his complicated medical history, Tom remained positive, upbeat, and passionate about life until the very end. Tom was preceded in death by his parents Frank Wayland and Wetoka Nadene Cloud and his brothers James Wayland "Jim" Cloud and William J "Bill" Cloud. He is survived by his sons, Jay Cloud of Paoli, Mark Cloud of Oklahoma City, Jeff Cloud of Norman; daughter Annie and her spouse Jared "Woody" Conatser of Oklahoma City; granddaughters Halley and Mallory Cloud; sister Rita Kay Fabio of Southlake, Texas; niece Robyn Daniels of Southlake, Texas; and former wife and friend, Marie Cloud. He had too many friends to count but remained especially close to Steve Asbury, Don Lacek, Kent Johnson, and Louis Balentine. The Cloud family would like to thank all of the friends and family that have shared stories, offered condolences, and given support to us during this difficult time. We would specifically like to thank to Dr. Kerry Owens, who gave our dad the best care and whose dedication kept Dad going for many years; To Fresenius Dialysis Center, whose staff Dad considered to be family, after spending years with the facility; and the Lakes Care Center, who have cared for Dad like he was their own over the past year and a half. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date and safer time, when stories not suitable for mixed company will be told anyway. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to KGOU Public Broadcasting, the PBS Foundation, or an animal rescue of your choice.