- Date Of Birth: February 19, 1939
- Date Of Death: April 28, 2020
- State: Indiana
Thom was a blessing to many and a strong Christian example of what it meant to be a husband and father. It did not matter that he had no positive role model or example of how to be a good leader and supporter of a family; he listened to his heart and let it led him. He was a living example of what it was to forgive and was the first to offer help when needed.
Thom was a gentle and firm father. You can see his good work in his children, his grandchildren, his great-grandchildren. When hard times hit the family, he stepped up and became that solid father-figure needed by those who suffered the lack of a good man in their life, and it didn’t stop with the family. Thom had an affinity with the very young: it was no secret how much he loved all children. He took that need and talent for parenting, and channeled it in a way that affected many of our local kids: coaching. It was his vocation to be that positive factor in a young person’s life, and he practiced it alongside his son and grandson with over 10 years of coaching for the Vigo County Youth Football League.
Thom’s coaching didn’t stop there. He loved his golf. Second only to his passion of being a Bears fan, Thom loved to golf. He could take an individual – someone who had absolutely no clue about the game- and gently guide them from narrowly missing him with a wild swing of the golf club, to successful ‘chips’ with the golf ball rolling beautifully onto the green. No yelling, no frustration, no sighs of disgust – just that slow, sweet patience that made you feel you could do anything. He would even let you drive the golf cart.
Very simply put, Thom is and was a good man. Those are hard to come by. He is so very loved and missed.
