Bellbrook graduation 2012
Fairfield Senior 2012 graduation
Kroger Aquatic Center opens
Compiled by "Smart Mouth" columnist Amelia Robinson, Seen and Overheard is fueled by juicy tidbits, oddball tales and strange sightings.
Home > Blogs > Seen and Overheard > Archives > 2011 > April > 07 > Entry
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 .
Permalink | Comments (46) | Post your comment | Categories: People you know
Tweet
Comments
By Lyle
April 7, 2011 4:41 PM | Link to this
I always enjoyed seeing Tom in the audience whether I was in the audience or performing. He brought a positive energy whenever he was near. I will miss you my brother. It was a honor and a pleasure knowing you. Rest in peace Tom..
By AM
April 7, 2011 4:54 PM | Link to this
Dayton mourns him.
By WM
April 7, 2011 4:59 PM | Link to this
He always engaged the entire establishment, not knowing a single stranger. His presents will be missed in the Oregon.
By Hook
April 7, 2011 5:07 PM | Link to this
Tom was a fixture in the Oregon, he will be missed! RIP TOM!
By alphagirl
April 7, 2011 5:37 PM | Link to this
I am deeply saddened to hear of Tom’s passing. As an avid festival goer, I have danced with him numerous times and watched a beautiful sunset with him by the river near the bandstand at one of the festival. I’ll never forget the beautiful comments he made about living life to the fullest. He will be dearly missed I’m sure by all who knew him and never forgotten for the way he livened up so many festivals. May he rest in peace.
By susan
April 7, 2011 5:46 PM | Link to this
tom,was a very nice man,evrytime i seen him out he calld m angel,i just seen tom about 3 weeks ago out front,iwas waiting,for my niece,and was in a wheel chair,he stopped too pet my puppy,tom u will be missed my friend,ur with god now and ur not in pain anymore r.i.p
By Ames
April 7, 2011 5:56 PM | Link to this
From one dancer to another, miss you man. You were a sweet soul no doubt!!!! Shine on brotha!
By Steve
April 7, 2011 5:59 PM | Link to this
R.I.P. Tommy (Moses)
By Jon Brytus
April 7, 2011 6:30 PM | Link to this
Tommy brought a lot of joy to our family. I have never met someone so passionate about all things in life - he was a true leader in that sense. Sadly Dayton lost one of its greats. We love you Tommy.
By Marty
April 7, 2011 6:49 PM | Link to this
Tom, I will miss you - I had a dream Thursday AM that I was trying to reach you and I kept falling off of the stairs. I love you - we had a lot of good times together - tell Paul “hi” for me. You have left a legacy that I will never forget.
By Marty
April 7, 2011 6:53 PM | Link to this
My dear dear Tom - we had a lot of good times and memories. You are such a good soul and gave so much to others - you have a legacy. Tell “Paul” hi and that I miss him. I had a dream about you the other night - Wednesday - you were on the top of the staircase - I kept trying to get to you but the stairs kept falling down. You befriended me when I moved back to Dayton in 2004. We had some great times - you and the “sisters” - I miss you
By Lrwright18
April 7, 2011 6:55 PM | Link to this
Tommy was a wonderful, kind, and loving man. My husband is John Wright of the Wright Brothers Band as well as affiliated with the Dayton Blues Society. It wasn’t an official event without Tommy there. dancing and spreading the joy. He will be greatly missed, but the spirit of Tommy will live on!
By Chez
April 7, 2011 7:18 PM | Link to this
Tom was GREAT and Dayton and myself will miss him dearly! RIP Tom!
By Simian Pundit
April 7, 2011 7:57 PM | Link to this
Congratulations and good luck! Be careful out there.
By Vinny
April 7, 2011 8:02 PM | Link to this
This is a major bummer for all the babes and dudes who hang out in downtown Dayton. Who DIDN’T know this dude? Anyone, Anyone, Bueller? We are all going to miss our brother “Dancing Tom” Rest In Peace, DT baby.
By Tim
April 7, 2011 8:37 PM | Link to this
Tomkat had a great sense of humor, made friends easily, and enjoyed celebrating life and experiencing the people and music around him. Nice to see that kind of shining star in this cynical world. RIP.
By sharon
April 7, 2011 9:29 PM | Link to this
I remember my sister and I dancing at the Trolley Stop on many occasions, over many years, and Tom was always there. He will be missed, no doubt.
By kev r.
April 7, 2011 10:15 PM | Link to this
R.I.P. Tom. We lost a good one.
By Glen
April 7, 2011 11:11 PM | Link to this
May the great light of the Buddha continue to illuminate your soul - and say hi to rags for me!
By Tromboneelvis
April 8, 2011 1:46 AM | Link to this
It was an honor to share my “energy” with Tom. Tom truly loved music and musicians. I will miss my “brother”.
By "Mr. Firstcall" Marty
April 8, 2011 7:46 AM | Link to this
Coincidence or not? I also had a brief visit with Tom during a pre-gig nap on Wednesday afternoon. RIP Tom.
By mojo
April 8, 2011 9:11 AM | Link to this
Dayton lost a good friend, we will miss you Tom Kat. Thank you for all the wonderful memories!
By Lovely
April 8, 2011 9:52 AM | Link to this
He shall be missed on the dance floor.
By Melina
April 8, 2011 10:30 AM | Link to this
He was an amazing, beautiful soul who will be missed more than mere words can express… <3 XOXO <3
By Richard
April 8, 2011 10:32 AM | Link to this
will miss you my brother .. you was a very cool man so much fun to be around ..loved to see you dancing to all the music around every where in dayton ..had some great talks with tom the last few years..RIB. tom ..see you on the other side dancing again love you brother
By Marty
April 8, 2011 11:36 AM | Link to this
So Tom was visiting two of us on his “graduation” He also spoke of death as “graduating.” I hope you have a pleasant journey - Tomacina You have left a lot of yourself behind, you touched a lot of people. You will go on.
By Jeff Dorsten
April 8, 2011 1:51 PM | Link to this
All local performers will miss Dancing Tom I’m sure because He always could inspire a reluctant crowd to get up & into a show. He definitely was not shy! I recall a Noah & the Stratocats show at The Fraze He asked my Young Daughter to Dance & finally after some persuading from me she did & had a Blast! Get ‘em up & Dancin’ up there in heaven Brother! We’ll miss you down here!
By Sean Clemens "Tom Kat Jr"
April 8, 2011 3:12 PM | Link to this
Tom, my Father, my Friend, my Soulmate, my Brother, you touched many peoples lives. Looking at the comments above you meant a lot to the City of Dayton and Earth itself. Thanks for bringing me into the world. I will miss so much about you. Your deepness as a Soul, your funnyboned humor, your goofy silly nature, your awareness, your love, your positivity, your human touch. So much I can touch on….Popola, I will forever continue the thread of light that this planet desparately needs, in your honor I will dig into the music and comedy that you so much desired and accomplish our goals that we both set out to conquer together. I know you have important duties to fulfill in the NEXT LEVEL. Love is just one word that I feel. Thank you for teaching all of us the important things in life. Like you said you were a “Cheerleader for Humanity” CLEMENS LEGACY FOREVER!!!! BLESSED UP AND THE TORCH STAYS LIT!!!! KEEP THE PARTY ALIVE DAYTON, OHIO. 91602 all the way to 45410……peace and light! -Young TomKat
By ElderlyBrothers
April 8, 2011 3:51 PM | Link to this
We will miss our friend “Surfer Tom”. He loved the “Brothers” and we him. What a sad day.
By Tom Carroll
April 8, 2011 6:08 PM | Link to this
I saw Tom in a vision last night. He was dancin that dance and smilin his smile! Dancin Tom is a spirit dancer now! Safe journey home my brother! Thanks for the love!
By tootall
April 8, 2011 8:23 PM | Link to this
Whenever I played downtown, Tom was there, raising the spirits of everyone. I’ll miss him.
By Kristen
April 8, 2011 8:55 PM | Link to this
Tom was an unforgettable person. I will miss him.
By LittleMary
April 8, 2011 10:17 PM | Link to this
Every chance meeting and conversation with Tom was an opportunity to truly witness spirit in motion. His light continues in the Dayton music community and he will be missed at every future music festival; reminding us that life is for living so dance, dance, dance!
By Jeffro
April 8, 2011 11:23 PM | Link to this
Some of my more fond, early memories of happenings around Dayton involve seeing Tom dancing with ladies half his age. I don’t think I ever saw the dude frown. I know I never heard him speak ill of anyone - in fact, no negative statements ever left his mouth that I heard. Despite the lower half of his body being so screwed up, the guy kept dancing and putting smiles on the faces of everyone near him - especially the females. I was lucky enough to get to talk to Tom many times at South Park Tavern when I worked there. Anyone that knew him in any way was a lucky person to be around the guy - he knew how to live. I was so sad when I heard the news. What an awesome gentleman, sweetheart and kind person he was. I think if we all take a few minutes to reflect on how we can make our lives and the lives of those around us a little better by keeping our attitudes positive and our words kind, we can honor the memory of a really cool brother. Take care, buddy. Love, Jeffro
By Marty
April 9, 2011 8:05 AM | Link to this
To Tom Kat Jr., your father and I talked a great deal about you and how proud he was of you and how he adored and loved you so very much. He spoke of you as being his greatest treasure. He was truly a wonderful, soulful man who touched me deeply. He will be watching over you
By Lyle
April 9, 2011 1:37 PM | Link to this
Is there any information about Tom’s funeral or memorial service? I can’t seem to find any.. A lot of people are wondering when and where it will be. Thanks..
By Rio
April 9, 2011 4:00 PM | Link to this
On occasion I travel from NE Ohio for a breath of the areas music scene and Tom always caught my eye. You could feel his love/joy and see his light.
By Mike B
April 10, 2011 7:12 PM | Link to this
the orignal CLEMDOG you will always be remebered and loved
By Julie
April 11, 2011 4:55 PM | Link to this
I feel truly honored to have danced a few with Tom and gotten to know a wonderful man. I will miss his loving lively vibe. Peace and love to you Tom. May your time be filled with love, music, and lots of dancing!
By Wes Reynolds
April 11, 2011 5:25 PM | Link to this
The loss of another beautiful person. I will miss the hugs that filled my soul with love. Love is the truth and Tom is love. In love Tom will always be with me.
By Tyra B.
April 14, 2011 12:56 PM | Link to this
I will miss him. He was a wonderful site at Women and Jazz every year. Always happy, always dancing.
By Tyra B.
April 14, 2011 12:57 PM | Link to this
I will miss him. He was a wonderful site at Women and Jazz every year. Always happy, always dancing.
By Nick & Pam Mitchell
May 8, 2011 8:39 PM | Link to this
Tom had a presence about him that every human being can learn something from: no matter how hard things seem, no matter how harsh the world and humanity can be, how little you may have materially…treat each moment as an opportunity to connect, share a smile, a laugh, a warm fuzzy buzz and as many moments of musical bliss as possible. Tom often talked to Pam and I about his son in California, his hard days many years ago (which he still had a way of recalling with an ironic fondness), and his love of the more musically adventurous and “out there” moments on stage by the many Dayton area bands that he was an honorary member of. Tom Kat is a Dayton area icon and every musician that has smiled knowingly from the stage while watching him cajole the crowd on to the dance floor will miss his him. -Nick & Pam Mitchell
By Sarahanne M.
May 11, 2011 1:57 AM | Link to this
I’m not sad for me, that i lost my dear friend… i’m sad for the whole world… for those who will never know Tom, or a man like him… because there will never be another.
By Tony
May 15, 2011 12:03 AM | Link to this
Tom be safe on your journey, I am sure wherever you are you are brightening up someone’s day. Slan abhaile.
By Raymond
May 16, 2011 10:22 AM | Link to this
Hi iam from Ireland I met Tom three years ago while in dayton visiting my brother in law Tony who introduced me to tom at a music festivel there, what a truely nice man he was he made me and my wife patrica feel very welcome his energy was fantastic as we say here in ireland he enjoyed the crac, rest in peace Tom.