Thomas W. Oughton ’64

On November 20th, 2025, Tom Oughton died peacefully at home after a long illness. He was born October 20, 1936 in Guatemala City, Guatemala, Calif. to Reverend William and Annie May Oughton, both Primitive Methodist Missionaries from England. They spent 25 years on the mission fields of Guatemala serving the highlands of Nebaj and Quiche.

Tom graduated from Cumberland High School in Cumberland Rhode Island. He received his B.S, degree from Maine Maritime Academy.

He then served as Second Mate and navigator for U.S. Lines delivering supplies to our soldiers in Viet Nam. He received his Masters Degree for Physics & Chemistry from Union College. He taught Physics at Gloversville High School for 27 years.

Over four summers this family of five successfully built their own log cabin home in Ephratah, New York. Upon retirement Tom and Kathy purchased a 31 ft. Southern Cross sailboat and sailed off the coast of North Carolina. Tom taught the USCG Captain’s License Course for the College of the Albermarle. When weather no longer permitted sailing they traveled in their Nissan pickup to Guatemala and returned each spring to work the farm producing asparagus, blueberries and perennial flowers to sell at the farmer’s markets in Schenectady, Little Falls and Herkimer.

Tom had a great interest in the history of the Mohawk Valley. He belonged to the Mabee Farm and Herkimer Home historical societies and did demonstrations of hand hewing logs and cooking beef jerky at their open house days.

On August 14, 2025, Tom and Kathy celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with their three children Stephen, Teresa and Thomas and three grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life with relatives and friends will be announced next summer.