Tom Cleveland loved life and had a lot of fun. He and his wife Jennie were married for 58 years and raised three daughters – Christine Merkel, Beth Geiger and Kathleen Sellers. Tom and Jennie grew up in upstate New York and got married in 1962. Tom worked at the Pontiac dealership in Gloversville, then worked in a Mobile gas station in Johnstown. In 1967, they moved to Cooperstown, NY, and he bought the Mobile gas station in front of Doubleday Park. Tom and Jennie started vacationing in Myrtle Beach and grew to love it so much that they decided to move down in 1975 and built a house in the Dunes Club. That's when he met Dick Garrell, who was their real estate agent. Tom and Dick hit it off immediately and Tom started working with Dick and got his real estate and builders licenses. The Clevelands and the Garrells have been family ever since. In 1977 they found an old rice plantation called Wilderness Plantation on Prince Creek in Murrells Inlet and decided that it would be a good investment. Tom built his house there while the family lived in a trailer while it was being built. The Garrells built the second house there. Today Wilderness Plantation is home to many families who have become dear friends. He and Jennie and family have enjoyed their woodland retreat immensely.

Tom loved to work outside and ride the tractor. He was always full of energy and liked to keep busy. He loved helping people and would lend a hand whenever anyone needed anything. He was also goofy and silly too. There were too many times to count when he had us all laughing until we cried. When the work for the day was done, it was time to relax and have his happy hour beer.

Tom's love for Jennie (whom he called Mama Goose) was his whole reason for living. They were a great team through good times and bad. Tom was extremely proud of his three daughters and his grandchildren: Chris and Warren Merkel who live in Atlanta; Beth and Brad Geiger, their son Ian and his fiancée Sarah and their boys Noah and Luke who live in Myrtle Beach; Kathleen and Shaun Sellers and their children Gabrielle and Lily who live in Conway. There were so many others that he considered family and they continue to be close to us. We're grateful for all of their love for Tom and Jennie and our family.