Obituary of Thomas M. Laux
STAMFORD March 15, 1941-Sept. 6, 2014 STAMFORD — Tom was born in Bathgate Hospital to Ann Seebeck (Ryder) and George K. Laux on March 15, 1941. He attended Grand Gorge Central School finishing third grade. He then moved to Stamford attending Stamford Central until graduating in 1959. He joined the Air Force in 1959, serving four years stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska and Dover, Del., receiving an honorable discharge. Upon returning home, he worked on the Pine Island Farm living with his family of three boys. He was fondly known by his friends as "Buck Shot." He then took employment with Ryder Newspapers at the Mirror Recorder as general manager, dark room technician, press man and anywhere he was needed. Following sale of the chain of newspapers he started work at N.Y. Power Authority as purchasing and warehouse manager in 1991, at Gilboa Power Project transferring to St. Lawrence Power Project, Massena, until retirement in 2001. Tom was a 25-year member of Stamford Fire Department from secretary to department chief for four years. He was also instrumental in starting the Rescue Squad completing his E.M.T. Tom was a dedicated 23-year member of the Utsayantha Post 1379 American Legion where he served as commander for a period of 10 years — two terms as Corporation of Stamford Veterans Club and two separate terms as Delaware County Commander 1991-1992 and 2004-2006, and also served as treasurer of county. Tom worked with his wife to design and implement a new Veteran's Memorial in Veterans Park honoring all veterans serving their country during war and peace. Tom is survived by his mom, Ann Ryder; sisters, Melinda Govern, Marilyn (John) Phelen of Loudonville; his wife of 30 years, Carolyn; sons, Richard Laux of Shreveport, Christopher (Kim) Roberts of Nashville, daughter-in-law, Pamela Spegarilli Laux of Eldorado, Texas; daughters, Sherry (David) Hotaling of Hobart, Carolyn (Tom) Ehrhart of Stamford; son and James Natale of Stamford. He was predeceased by George, his father, and his son, Brian Thomas of Eldorado, Texas on May 5, 2013 of ALS. Tom is also survived by his loving grandchildren, Jeremy and Jodi Hamm and sons, Tucker, Jay and Beckett of Cobleskill, Vanessa Hamm of Jefferson, Ryan and Kristen Laux and daughter, Brianne Marie of Shreveport, Alexandra Natale, Stamford, Erik and Cassie Ehrhart, Stamford, many nieces, nephews and cousins. Calling hours will take place from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014, at the MacArthur Funeral Home, Hobart. A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, at the Grand Gorge United Methodist Church, Grand Gorge with the Rev. Dottie Morris officiating. Burial with full military honors will take place in Stamford Cemetery, Stamford. You may make donations to American Legion Post 1379, P.O. Box 45, Stamford, NY to complete dream of a landscaped Veterans Sidewalk of Memories; Stamford Fire Department or Brian's Team for ALS Research, c/o Pam Spegarilli Laux, P.O. Box 143, Eldorado, TX 76936-0413. Those who wish to share condolences or a special memory may do so online at www.macarthurfh.com. Arrangements are with the MacArthur Funeral Home of Hobart.
