Tribute to Tom

[Tamiam]

I just recieved some preliminary funeral info.  Arrangements are not complete at this time, but it is being handled by Callahan Funeral Home  www.callahanfh.com  in Callahan, Fl.  It will take place either Thursday afternoon or Friday morning at Jacksonville National Cemetery.  Appropriate dress is jeans and a red t-shirt.

There is nothing on the funeral home website about it yet, but there will be an online guestbook there soon.  I'll post more details as I get them.

I was thinking that the whole forum could be part of this tribute to Tom,  if we all wore red t-shirts on Thursday or Friday.

[beenthere]

I will do that.
thanks for the idea.

[Warbird]

Good idea.  I'm in.

[red]

i always wear one

[Roxie]

Count me in!  Great idea!

[zopi]

Red shirts and jeans it is...

[doctorb]

I have one pair of red scrubs!  Consider it done.

[jdtuttle]

http://www.redshirtfridays.org/
There will be alot of red shirts worn Friday. My wife & I wear one every week.
Jim

[Dodgy Loner]

I'll be wearing a red shirt on Thursday and Friday.

[Texas Ranger]

yup

[Lambee10]

New member here but read a lot of Tom's stuff.  Made me laugh and made me think.  I will wear a red T shirt and jeans in my day job office.

[Patty]

Great idea, Tamiam. We will be wearing red for Tom up here in Iowa.

[scsmith42]

I'll be wearing mine too.  Great idea.

Scott

[RavioliKid]

I will wear one on Thursday night. Here's to Tom!

[WDH]

Yes.

[SAWMILL BUDDY]

You can count on me.

[thecfarm]

What a great idea. I will have one on in Maine for my friend Tom.

[Meadows Miller]

Gday

I am In It will be a Fitting tribute to Tom 

Best Regards Chris

[GF]

I will have mine on.

[Burlkraft]

Everybody should get a picture of themselves and post them here

[scottyblue]

I just recieved some preliminary funeral info.  Arrangements are not complete at this time, but it is being handled by Callahan Funeral Home  www.callahanfh.com  in Callahan, Fl.  It will take place either Thursday afternoon or Friday morning at Jacksonville National Cemetery.  Appropriate dress is jeans and a red t-shirt.

There is nothing on the funeral home website about it yet, but there will be an online guestbook there soon.  I'll post more details as I get them.

I was thinking that the whole forum could be part of this tribute to Tom,  if we all wore red t-shirts on Thursday or Friday.

I'll even wear my red long johns along with the shirt.

[Left Coast Chris]

Im going Red.  Sure miss Tom.

[sdunston]

Red with Jeans for the rest of the week, its the least I can do
Sorry,Sam

[scottyblue]

My red shirt is on.It's not a T but it's red.

Journey well Tom.

Scotty

[Jeff]

I have my red t-shirt on. Tom would be pleased and give me heck at the same time. The only one I have, and it says Tennessee volunteers on it.    He'd want me to turn it in-side-out and write Georgia Bulldogs on it.

[customsawyer]

I have mine on. The wife said she had to put hers on earlier so she would know what shade of lip stick to use. Any one else have this worry, as to what lip stick to wear.

[Burlkraft]

I have mine on. The wife said she had to put hers on earlier so she would know what shade of lip stick to use. Any one else have this worry, as to what lip stick to wear.

I usually try to go with a neutral color that goes with everything 

My red tee has no sleeves.

[Norm]

Only one I own has ISU on it but figured it was the thought that counts. 

[Jeff]

I have mine on. The wife said she had to put hers on earlier so she would know what shade of lip stick to use. Any one else have this worry, as to what lip stick to wear.

You would never believe what Mr. Tom's last post was in the admin area of the Forum. 

[submarinesailor]

I have my red collared work shirt on and plan on picking up a red tee shirt for tomorrow - dress down day here at work.

Bruce

[beenthere]

And a pic to prove it.

 

[Radar67]

Due to having to be in uniform, I am not able to don the red shirt today, but my thoughts are with Tom and his family.

[Texas Ranger]

I always get goofy shots taken of me, but for Tom, here it is.

 

[jtmccallum]

I got my red shirt on.  Cooked up a bowl of grits.  `It's my day off so I am going to saw up some pine logs.

                                  John

[scsmith42]

In honor of Tom:  a red shirt, Bailey's "Wild Ass" blue jeans, some big logs and a good dog.

Tom: up in heaven I hope that you can feel the outpouring of love from all of your friends back home.  Thanks for having been such a great human being.

[sprucebunny]

 


It's my only red shirt. It has something stuck to it. Today, I'd like to think it was SYP sap. My pet SYP is in the pic, too.
I'll miss you, Tom.

[Jeff]

Trying to stay busy outside today, picking up wet leaves.  Its cold out, probably in the low 40's.  Tom would be teasing me about now for not wearing an Anorak and Mukluks yet in these temperatures.    You might have noticed a photo in the video of Tom stretching his hands forward to the camera, with something in his hands? Those were ice cube. He took the picture to show me how he successfully went ice fishing after I told him I went with Chet and didn't catch anything but a little bitty perch. He told me you just had to know how to do it, and where to go.



Steve (Burlkraft) sent me his picture this morning too. He needs his glasses now to see the button on the camera so he can take his own photo.  I had to tip it right side up before I posted it.

[Wildflower]

 

[Roxie]

You would never believe what Mr. Tom's last post was in the admin area of the Forum. 

Please tell us! 

[Left Coast Chris]

Tom loved his sawmill although his was Blue and mine is orange(ish).  Note the hat is red but the emblem is 49ers.  We'll probably be talking about that later.....

[Jeff]

Please tell us! 

I don't usually share to much from the admin conferencing board, as its mostly just admin stuff. We save our chit-chat for the most part for the regular forum, and the conferencing board for forum related stuff, but in this case, I don't want his post to be taken completely out of context. Like I am about to do first. 

/that might look cool with my green lipstick.

The following is our topic in it's entirety.

The Forestry Forum
Administrators only => Conferencing => Topic started by: Chet on August 16, 2011, 11:57:55 pm

Topic Title: Tom
Post by: Chet on August 16, 2011, 11:57:55 pm
Where's Tom been?      Ain't seen um around for a couple of weeks.


Post by: Ianab on August 17, 2011, 06:22:52 am
Last online Aug 3rd, and no mention of being away or anything?

Time for a phone call if no one knows anything?


Post by: Jeff on August 17, 2011, 08:16:51 am
I know something that I found out quite a bit after the fact as I went to the U.P. and didn't check where these messages came from, but I was told by someone that was told not to tell anybody on the Forestry Forum, so I have kept that wish until now because I really think you guys should know, but we should still keep it private as of Tom, or Gael's wishes, I'm not sure who.  But since you guys have asked, and I do know, I'm relaying what I know.

He was taken to the hospital just before the pigroast. They thought he had another pulmonary blood clot. Turned out to be a mass in the lung, that turned out to be Quote:

Quote
The tumor in Tom's lung is diagnosed as a Non-small cell Carcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.  They have only told him that it is "early stage" but from the course of treatment we have deduced that it is Stage 1 on the scale of 0-5, with 5 being the Good Night Irene stage.  This means that it has not spread, which is excellent news.  They are going to remove one lobe of that lung, probably tomorrow.  They told him that it would be tomorrow, then they decided to do a stress test on him in the morning.  He is assuming the surgery will still be tomorrow but they haven't actually said that.

His spirits seem excellent considering what he is facing and they told him the recovery from this surgery isn't too bad or too long.  What they find during and after will determine if and what other treatments there will be..maybe chemo, maybe radiation, and maybe nothing.

and then the next day:


and the following day:

Quote
Latest news:  Tom is out of surgery and doing well.  I only received a voice mail from Gael but she said the docs were pleased and the prognosis is good.  I probably won't know anything else until I can talk to Tom.



Post by: Ron Scott on August 17, 2011, 09:51:28 am
Hope that all goes well for him.


Post by: Chet on August 17, 2011, 10:35:52 am
Thanks for the update. Noticed him missin' awhile ago, was hopin' he just snuck off fur some fishin'.

I pitty da poor nurses 


Post by: Chet on August 24, 2011, 02:02:43 am
Any new news about how our red shirted buddy is doing?


Post by: Ianab on August 26, 2011, 07:18:12 am
Tom's absence has been noticed.

I moved it to "full members" and posted a brief note without too many details, but I think the cat is out of the bag now.

Any updates?

Ian


Post by: Jeff on August 26, 2011, 08:11:15 am
Quote
I still don't feel comfortable talking to the general public about the ailment, but Y'all are free, now, to say what you please and what you feel is right.   I'm in good spirits and looking forward to getting my mind active again.  I'll answer questions as you ask, if you have any, any will hope too tell a few anecdotes as time goes on.


I added what I knew to the topic in the members board. I'm up in the U.P. trying to harvest some of these dead larch and usually try and check in on the laptop at least a couple times a day.


Post by: Ianab on August 26, 2011, 08:35:29 am
Thanks.

An update like that is all that's needed. I figured we couldn't just ignore it once the question was asked.

Like I said, his absence was noticed, but an update like that is all that's needed for now.

Hopefully Tom is improving and will back online in a few days.

Ian


Post by: Tom on September 01, 2011, 05:43:24 pm
Thanks to you guys for handling this so properly.  The wish for no advertisement was my idea to save gael from the confusion and knowing that I'll not be able to keep up with a bunch of phone calls. To a caller, it's just  a 5 minute call.  To me, on this end, it's been a 5 minute call every 10 minutes.  In the hopital, I finally turned off the phone.  At home I can't always reach the fool thing.  I have enjoyed the attention and y'alls concern as well.

Thanks.


Post by: Ron Scott on September 01, 2011, 09:00:53 pm
We're glad that your're back and hope things are improving.


Post by: Tom on September 30, 2011, 11:59:57 am
The second surgery went ok.  They removed a tumor in my spine that was impacting my nerves. ]They also pined vertaebra together that were almost powder and conect them to the ones on either side.   There is still cancer in bone, but a am going to get radioactive treatments after I get out of this rehab.  The arthritis is making the rehab difficult.

I stil won't be saying much.  It's the rehabs computer.

going to get my nails done in a few minutes. 


Post by: Chet on September 30, 2011, 12:44:52 pm
Quote from: Tom on September 30, 2011, 11:59:57 am
going to get my nails done in a few minutes. 

 What color are ya gonna go with?       


Post by: Jeff on September 30, 2011, 01:26:16 pm
The ONLY thing that could have brightened my day after learning about Noble last night is seeing a post from you Tom. Keep after it my friend.


Post by: Ron Wenrich on October 01, 2011, 06:23:06 am
Good to hear from you again.  Hearing something is always better than hearing nothing.   


Post by: Tom on October 18, 2011, 12:41:38 pm
it seems that most of the patients are womem.  The men hide to save  thier masculinity.  Mine is secure so I like to take part in the feminine things and not  let them go too far.  no  nail polish.  remember that  I'm easily entertained. 


Post by: WDH on October 18, 2011, 09:30:54 pm
If you do break down and go nail polish, go deep red  .


Post by: Jeff on October 18, 2011, 09:37:36 pm
We're talking toenails, right?


Post by: Tom on October 21, 2011, 11:46:50 am
I asked.  They don't do toenails, just fingernails.   I get mine trimmed.  They used toenail clippers. 


Post by: Chet on October 21, 2011, 11:52:36 am
I still think you should try da Tamian pink 


Post by: Tom on October 21, 2011, 12:16:37 pm
/that might look cool with my green lipstick.


Post by: WDH on October 21, 2011, 07:24:07 pm
Getting fired up for Halloween I see  .  Dye your hair purple and you will get more attention at Rehab!


Post by: Jeff on October 24, 2011, 02:54:16 pm
I've locked the"Is Tom okay?" topic. We don't need anyone posting on that now.

I also changed Tom's forum password, because of his ddmin status. I know he was always logged on, on his home computer, so this had to be done to remove any security risks. I could have changed his status away from admin, but I'm not willing to do that.   His family can still read anything else the general forum members could read this way.


Post by: Kevin on October 24, 2011, 04:04:42 pm
I thought he had a chance of beating this after seeing him post on the forum.
This place will never be the same without him.


Post by: Jeff on October 24, 2011, 04:06:28 pm
We don't know for sure what happened, and may never know.  I talked with Tom on Friday and he seemed to be in good spirits. We talked for a good half hour until he started to tire.  DanG  related to me that it may have been a blood clot let loose.  Doctorb says if it was another pulmonary embolism, that having only one lung, he would not have been able to survive it.

You're right, it can't ever be the same.

Post by: Ianab on October 24, 2011, 04:21:07 pm
Yeah, sure it a bit of a shock, and we are all going to miss him for sure.

All sorts of unexpected complications can occur after major surgery like that, and when you add in any cancer therapy that weakens you even more, it's not hard for something sudden to just take a person out. 

Ian



Post by: Ron Wenrich on October 24, 2011, 04:53:07 pm
Not happy to see that.  Starting to lose the old guard.  Won't be the same.

Post by: WDH on October 24, 2011, 07:17:58 pm
He was one of the hearts and souls of this Forum.  What a great friend he was.


Post by: Chet on October 24, 2011, 07:20:50 pm
Wow, I'm at a loss for words.

Tom and I exchanged a bunch of messages da other night when I got home from work. When I checked in at midnight he was on, said he couldn't sleep. WE had alot of late night exchanges, as I also did with Noble. I sure am gonna miss dem guys.


Post by: Ron Scott on October 25, 2011, 03:12:29 pm
Just got back in town after a few days in the woods an saw this sad news. Tom always reminded me of our Birthdays in November as his and mine were in the same month and we started on the Forum during its early beginning.

Chris, don't forget, Tom also had a Wood-Mizer Sawmill that he sawed well over 2 million feet on. His name is on the plaque at Indy.  When it came time for a new sawmill, He went blue because at that time, wood-mizer was not making a saw that met his needs for length. He had a lot of customers that where he was sawing over 20 feet, and needed the mobile ability to do so.  Gael told me this morning, that Tom's Wood-Mizer Million Board Foot Jacket was folded and laying upon his casket last night.

[Warbird]

We miss you, Tom.

[tcsmpsi]

Some time ago, Tom and I had a lengthy conversation about T shirts. Though I do not remember on what basis the conversation began, I do remember well its opening discussion of the merits and demerits of many human charachteristics.

It was a peculiarity of my own stemming from my younger self, of my aversion to wearing red due to my notably bright red-headedness and red-beardedness.  I had long considered that would be sufficient personal appropriation of red to any environment I might encounter.  It was quite enough to walk down a busy city sidewalk and be commented upon, in loud voice by drivers-by, for instance.   And, even though my condition had changed by notable introduction of white to the red, decades of specificly maintained behavior had taken its toll.  Intentionally, I still had no red shirts.

For many years, my standard daily attire has been blue Tshirts with business logo (polos for collared requirements).  In the end, we agreed, that, due to each of our inherent introduction of white (hair/beards), with the red and blue (as well as our agreement on certain human behavioral propensities), we would be well matched to represent the country in any environment.

Though it is with no reluctance (or availability) that I did not don red today, it was with the conscious remembering , love and respect I have for Tom Cadenhead that I put on my standard blue Tshirt this morning.

[Norm]

In for lunch and a quick pic.

[Patty]

Tom, we will remember you every time we wear the red t-shirt. Rest in Peace my friend.

[Chuck White]

Wore my red T-shirt and jeans to work today and felt real good about it.

A few noticed and asked "why", told 'em I have lost a good friend!

I'll wear it again tomorrow.

[thecfarm]

I wore mine today. I worked outside so it was covered up by a black sweatshirt. Do not have a red sweatshirt. Told the wife I have to wear a red T shirt toady.

[Tamiam]

The whole family wore red t-shirts today.  Our employees asked what was going on and I proudly responded it was a tribute to a wonderful man.

 

[asy]

I don't have a red shirt...  Well, OK, I do, but it's got Rudolph holding a champagne glass saying "Dear Santa, Define Naughty" on it... So not really appropriate...  Or maybe it is...

In any case, I will be thinking of him all day...

My not having a red shirt doesn't lessen the fact that I greatly respected Tom and always appreciated when he (and DanG) gave me their 'fatherly advice', which was always right on the button.

Gael, I'm glad you're reading through these, I do hope they bring you some comfort, but I'm sure you already knew Tom was loved, respected and adored by people the world over.

DanG, how did the 'gun salute' go off?

L.

PS: Today is "Red shirt day" in Australia...  Seriously!!!  It's a day in tribute to a young lad, named Daniel Morcombe, who was abducted and murdered age 12, and his parents have set up a foundation to educate about child safety. So, Anyone who could, in Australia, was also wearing Red Shirts. (http://www.danielmorcombe.com.au/)

[DanG]

The gun salute went extremely well, Asy.  Due to the location, we were limited to shotguns, but we came up with seven of them.  Tom didn't just get one 21-gun salute, he got three!  The first was done somewhat formally by seven forumites, with the cadence called by Raider Bill.  Then we reloaded, and everyone who wanted to fire a volley in Tom's honor got to do just that. 

Red t-shirts were everywhere!  I'm sure Walmart is ordering up more of them by now, as it is an obvious hot seller.   Tammy, your idea of everybody wearing them wherever they were was a splendid one.  What a wonderful tribute!

[WDH]

There were some Forestry Forum members that made it to Mr. Tom's Memorial Service to send him off to Heaven with the love and admiration of his friends from the Forestry Forum. 

From left to right in the back......Customsawyer (Jake Dean), DanG (Dan Gwaltney), FishPharmer (James Dominici), Raider Bill (Bill Schultz).  On bottom row, left to right......WDH (Danny Hamsley), Woodbowl (Olen Barfield).

 



Nomad, (Mr. Bill) brought his sawmill with him.  How appropriate is it to have a sawmill at the Memorial Service?  Pricelessly Appropriate.  Thank you for being there for Tom, Mr. Bill.

 



We love you, Mr. Tom.

[Texas Ranger]

Those 6 could make the front line for a decent football team.  Well done, guys.

[DanG]

There was yet another tribute that hasn't been mentioned.  There were twenty-two Patriot Guard Riders standing guard over the ceremony.  I was quite moved by their presence.  These men stood at attention, surrounding the pavilion where the ceremony was held, with a quiet dignity that must be observed to be understood.  With their leathers, do-rags and motorcycle boots, each holding an American flag in the perfectly proper way, they paid the ultimate respect to one who they consider to be a fallen hero.  Over and over, they give of their time to honor any veteran whose family requests their presence.  My hat is off to those twenty-two men and to their entire organization.

[SwampDonkey]

Excellent! 

[Jeff]

I like the latest avatar. 

[thecfarm]

Thanks to all of the FF members that represented us.

[sawman]

 




  In memory of Mr. Tom

 

[Roxie]

What an outstanding, (and may I add, fine looking) group to represent the Forestry Forum!  Thank you WDH for sharing the pictures...I can almost hear those shotguns. 

You guys rock!   

[tcsmpsi]

Thank you, Danny.   Fine looking/acting group of fellows, if ever there was one.    There for a moment, I thought that fellow behind you had his head in the clouds.  Got my eyes focused a little better and could tell that 'cloud' under his head, warn't no cloud at all. 

[Chuck White]

I don't have a red shirt...  Well, OK, I do, but it's got Rudolph holding a champagne glass saying "Dear Santa, Define Naughty" on it... So not really appropriate...  Or maybe it is...

Sure it's appropriate, it was red!

What the heck, the front of mine is printed with a bunch of holly leaves and in the middle it's printed "Official Mistletoe Tester".

I'm sure Mr Tom wouldn't have disapproved.

[Den Socling]

It's good to see everybody lighten up a little bit. It hurt to see all of the suffering around the forum lately. Mr. Tom would want us to just adjust to this revoltin' situation.

[Tamiam]

Yes, there is a Tom story behind this shirt.  We asked the ff members to vote on some sayings for our shirts.  Tom didn't vote he submitted this one.

He had one in his bright red.

 



sorry guess you can't read it too well, Kevie is not the best with a camera.

It says  "I'm a Logrite hooker, are you?

[DanG]

You're right, Den.  In fact, we lightened up quite a bit yesterday.  After the services yesterday, we lit up the world with shotgun blasts, then the Forestry Forum contingent slipped off to the edge of the preacher's yard, and shared a toast to our friend from a bottle that Tom kept hidden in my closet.  I had asked Tom why he left it there instead of taking it home, and he said, "If I take it home, Charlie will drink it up next time he visits."  Afterward, I presented that bottle and the remaining contents to Charlie with the instruction that he should let his Brother buy him a drink.

After we parted ways for our return trips, Raider Bill followed along behind Woodbowl, Fishpharmer and I to a little BBQ house I knew about where we visited some more and enjoyed some pretty good sandwiches.  We lingered there for a while, then went outside and visited some more before finally prying ourselves loose and heading west as RB continued southward.  Now those two and I had talked all the way over there and while we were there, and we talked all the way back.  Then when we got here, we stood in the yard and talked another hour.  We talked about Tom and sawmills, and Tom and fishing, and Tom and life in general, and Tom.  We laughed a lot and argued about kerf width a little(those bandmill guys are really hung up on that!).

We're all gonna miss our Buddy, but we'll get on just fine as we go along through life, especially with all Tom taught us about it.

[DoubleD]

In memory of Mr. Tom

[WDH]

DoubleD,

You look exceptionally nice in that red shirt!  Red is definitely your color  .

It is awesome that so many people have donned red in honor of Mr. Tom.

[sawguy21]

Paul H and I had a few laughs today remembering Tom. Paul had met him, I never did but considered him a friend. He was a special guy, the world is poorer without him.

[Coon]

I had a red hoodie on today in memory of our good friend.  I don't have a red shirt otherwise and being that it is cool outside these days noone would have seen it otherwise.  I did get asked once today why I had a red hoodie on though.  I told him that it was in memory of a great guy and that many people around the world are wearing read today for the same reason.  He said great answer.     I never got a picture of it though.    I do however plan to wear it again tomorrow. 

[WH_Conley]

I wore mine. I felt that it was only right to get a little sawdust on it too. Have pictures but can't get them to post, this computer is giving me fits.

[Meadows Miller]

I wore My old Heartland Timber Products polo shirt 

I think We should have a memorial day for Tom every year to remember him Red Shirt Day 

[Jeff]

You read my mind Chris.    If you look at the calendar, you will see I'd added two Red Shirt Days to it. 

November 25th, The day of Tom's Birth  and
March 27th, the day Tom joined the Forestry Forum.

I'm not ready to give up my red shirt. I've got one on under my regular button shirt style I wear.

[DanG]

What would Tom say?

"Good show!"

[asy]

I think that's a fantastic idea!   

And, I must say, I really love the idea of the 'logrite hooker' shirt!!!  Coz ya know, I like being a logrite hooker 

[Texas Ranger]

We have a fishing group here in Texas called "The Hookers" and their t-shirts never fail to draw attention.

[york]

HI all,

I think that,another tribute to TOM,would be to click on the thread "Tom`s funeral" and there is a link,where you could make a donation to keep his guest book open forever,thanks w.a.miller

[Coon]

I forgot to mention that I wear my old red colored plaid looking jacket that is pretty tore up and tattered every time I go out cutting firewood.  I plan on doing this all fall in memory of Tom.   

[Magicman]

Since I just learned of this sad event this morning, I wore my red shirt and jeans today while unloading.

 

[Raider Bill]

I don't care what they say about you Magic Man That's still a way cool hat!

[WDH]

Thank you for doing that MM. 

[Bill Gaiche]

MM is our top rooster. Hope to hear about the trip soon. Those whiskers sure came on fast. bg

[CHARLIE]

Well, I got home late last night.  I stayed awhile to make sure Gael was doing OK and could help out when needed.  She's a strong woman and also had her wonderful sister, Jan, there, so she's in good hands.

Tom was a wonderful brother and tolerated me right well through his life.  In spite of the times I woke him up by squirting him with ice water or the time I threw Tabasco sauce in his eyes, we were real close.  We always had a good time when we were together.  I'm going to miss him a lot and I'm still not handling losing him all that well.

All of the notes on the forum are very much appreciated and it has amazed me at how many lives Tom touched in his lifetime.  I went to the viewing and was taken aback at how many people came.  I wasn't myself at the funeral and tried my best to put up a good front but was again surprised at all the people that took their time to attend.  I especially appreciated the Forumites that were able to come.  Nomad (Bill) introduced himself to me and said he had been sawing up to about an hour before the funeral. I liked that. There he was with sawdust on his red shirt and I thought, "Tom is looking down and smiling about that, 'cause he would've liked it."  Each Forumite came up to me and expressed their condolances and I appreciated that very much.

The funeral service wasn't long but it was a good one. The preacher that gave the eulogy was a neighbor and friend of Tom's and had even worked with him as an offloader for awhile.  Because he knew Tom, his eulogy was a good one and from his heart. Tom's oldest son, Tom IV, got up and said a few words with the primary message being that his dad left a large footprint in his life.  Our cousin John, who is as close as a brother, also got up and spoke and recited a few verses from First Thessalonians.

I appreciated the 21 gun salute for Tom at the luncheon afterward.  The forum members who came to the funeral and all of you here on the board have helped me as I get through this and I'm very appreciative for that.  I'll never get over the missing though.  And Tom was right when he told DanG "Charlie would drink it."  Cause Charlie would've........    

[Magicman]

I will be honoring Mr. Tom and his memory today by wearing a red T shirt and jeans.
 

 
A new one bought especially for him.

[CHARLIE]

Great idea Magicman. I think I'll do the same tomorrow.  I don't know if I've ever missed anyone like I've missed brother Tom.

[Magicman]

I do understand Charlie.  I lost my only Brother 28 years ago when he was only 44 years old.  We adjust, we move on, and we carry the memories.

[blackfoot griz]

Great idea Magicman. I think I'll do the same tomorrow.  I don't know if I've ever missed anyone like I've missed brother Tom.

I  read this  and MM's comments and it hit me really hard...A year ago today -almost to the minute- I lost my dad to cancer.
I know this thread is about Tom not my dad, but somebody is sending me a message...wow.

[DanG]

That's OK Griz.  Tom was a father figure to many people on here, and was like a brother to many more of us.  Losing him was like losing a close family member to most of us.

[Ironwood]

This is such a nice tribute to Tom. I think after seeing the ICU at the local Children's Hospital (my 4 month old was there)  life has never been the same me. I often think about my REALLY old friends (90+) whom have seen nearly all their contempararies pass, and how that must feel (potentially lonely). I think I would like to go somewhere past my 60-70's, but not 100.  To see folks, so enjoy the cherished memories and such is what I call a tribute to the person you know and the impact they had on others. I like to see that. I attended my Grandfathers service several years ago, he was almost 90, and had Aldzhimer's for almost 20 years. There was only a handful of us at his service, it was sad.

 So here is to Tom, I didnt know him, just caught some of his witt time to time. Cherish your memories, that is a nice thing and hopefully he can watch over us all, he lived a long and prosperous life, what a blessing.

 Ironwood