BARKAS THOMAS Age 82, of Marietta, passed away at home on Friday, September 18, 2015, after a heroic 20-year battle with cancer. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Tom was son to Greek and Italian immigrants whose drive to escape poverty and pursue the American Dream continued to fuel Tom his entire life. Tom graduated from the University of Pittsburgh on the GI Bill and began a 25-year career in industrial chemical sales. During that time, he moved his family from their ethnic roots of Pittsburgh to Atlanta when he received a promotion to Executive Vice President. In tune with the land boom in Georgia, he redirected his sales career to commercial land brokerage where he remained active throughout his 70s. Additionally, Tom had many extracurricular talents. He belonged to the 300 series bowling club, the 700 bowling club (score 745), participated in 32 Atlanta Peachtree Road races consecutively (the last one at age 80), finished the NYC Marathon in four hours 57 minutes at age 55, was an avid snow skier and competitive tennis player. He also qualified and played the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas on two occasions and was a 32nd degree Master Mason of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry by the age 36. Regardless of the time spent working and pursuing his other interests, he always made time for his family and friends, including weekly movies and a variety of other events with his grandchildren. Tom made quite an impact wherever life took him and will be fondly remembered for his jovial spirit and strong constitution. Tom was predeceased by his wife, Mary Barkas; and son, Thomas J. Barkas. He is survived by his wife, Claren Alexander; daughter, Denise Carrier (Kendal); stepdaughter, Marin Wells (David); and five grandchildren. A celebration of Tom's life will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2015, at 2:30 p.m. at SANDY SPRINGS CHAPEL, 136 Mt. Vernon Hwy., Sandy Springs, GA, 404-255-8511. Flowers will be accepted, or in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Autism Speaks, http://events.autismspeaks. org/tributes/tombarkas. Online condolences may be made at: www.sandyspringschapel.com Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb