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I don't know how to tell you what a great friend Tom was. Anything that guy
could do to get a rush he would do it. He went sky diving, rock climbing,
snorkeling, and pretty much anywhere else he could get hurt or killed. Usually
he would take me along with him. Sometimes I would go kicking and screaming, but
I owe a lot of my life experience to him. A lot of the things we did together, I
wouldn't have gotten to do without him in my life. When he got sick there were
still a lot of adventures he wanted to have. I went with him again on his
adventure. Watching two old men climb a mountain making frequent stops had to be
a funny sight. He didn’t let me give up; he never would have let me give up in
anything we were doing together.
I know there are a lot of people right now hurting, because Tom was such a
bright light in your life. His children and grandchildren have lost such a
special loved one. Tom was the friend I knew would do anything for me, and I
would do anything for him. He wanted to be there for anyone who needed it, and
was happy to share his faith with those who needed to hear it. He was a gentle
soul but he could also be as stubborn as the day is long. He had his flaws, but
he also had many fine qualities as well, and was smart as a whip. In school he
always helped me when I was struggling with a class. He just got it and never
minded helping me to learn how to do it. Tom had that way with people. He didn’t
mind helping you if you needed it. He loved teaching his grandchildren and his
children before them all the life lessons they needed to learn. He instilled in
them all the values he lived his life by, and I was fortunate enough to get to
see them grow up through his teachings. Now my children and grandchildren are
friends with his which makes me happy. I can see him in all their bright little
faces, and I know that he was proud to have such a beautiful family. Tom was a
man who knew how lucky he was.
It’s hard to think that we are not going to get to see him anymore. While we
miss him here we know that he is now in a better place looking down at all of us
and hopefully smiling over me up here trying to talk about him. There will never
be another like Tom and we need to remember to have a little adventurer in our
life and not take everything so seriously. That’s how Tom lived his life, and it
worked for him. Let’s celebrate his life by trying to take time to smell the
roses and live in the moment. I know he will be along for the ride in our
hearts.
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