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Compiled by "Smart Mouth" columnist Amelia Robinson, Seen and Overheard is fueled by juicy tidbits, oddball tales and strange sightings.
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Thursday, April 7, 2011
Man known as “Dancing Tom” dies
The man known to many local festivalgoers as “Dancing Tom” has died.
Thomas Clemens died at Hospice of Dayton on Wednesday, friend Jim Brytus said.
Brytus said Clemens enjoyed life despite health issues.
“He always had his shirt off at the festival and his wavy hair moving,” Brytus, a former educator said.
Clemens, a fixture at the Trolley Stop and South Park Tavern, had been seriously ill for several months, Brytus said, noting he didn’t know how Clemens died.
Clemens had suffered several broken bones, including a broken hip and leg, during bike accidents over the years.
Don Leet and his wife befriended Clemens about eight years ago. The friendships strengthened following the death of Clemons’ mother.
“He kind of adopted us and we adopted him, too,” Leet said.
Leet said Clemens suffered a stroke shortly before his death and had bleeding on the brain.
Clemens had suffered several broken bones, including a broken hip and leg, from bike accidents over the years.
Musician Marty Romie said Clemens began dancing several years ago as therapy for leg injuries.
He said Clemens, a blues lover also known around town as Tom Kat, was loved by bands.
“He was a catalyst for dancers everywhere he went,” Romie said. “He would always stir it up even if he was dancing by himself.”
He recently told me that he planned to move to California to be closer to his son.
A Chaminade graduate, he spent parts of his early years in Venice Beach, Calif.
Brytus said Clemens often spoke fondly about his California days.
“He knew every street and establishment out there,” Brytus said.
He said Clemens was about spreading joy.
“He was a very giving person and a very friendly person, probably not a mean bone in his body,” Brytus said. “He was always there to help people and to be friendly to everyone.” What do you think?
Get a juicy dose of celebrity news daily in the Dayton Daily News’ Celebriefly page found in the Life section. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth .
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