FallinAngel 0 #26 December 21, 2006 Any word on services for Tom? I'm going to miss his hugs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HurlinGirlie 0 #27 December 21, 2006 Tom was a Capricorn to the end. He was born on January 19th, I don't know what year, but find it sad that he passed on the 20th. Please tell me the zone is going to do something! This isn't just some skydiver we can drink a toast to...this was Tom: friend of the Blue Angels, friend to thousands of young andold people in nearly every country. There should be a memorial ceremony at the zone wherein both the military and skydivers can express there respect for a man who set examples in this world. Tom was a proud Marine, Special Forces and paratrooper. He served his country well. Were it one of us---he would do the same. [email] Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Freeflychick 0 #28 December 21, 2006 Yesterday we got the touching news ... ... & couldn't stop talking about Tom! Tom has touched a lot of hearts in different ways! All of us will keep him alive through stories, memories & dreams! It will never be the same at the DZ! Tom, Thanks for "taking me under your wings" I will miss you!"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes of your goals" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FIREFLYR 0 #29 December 21, 2006 ~J"One flew East,and one flew West..............one flew over the cuckoo's nest" "There's absolutely no excuse for the way I'm about to act" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BikerBabe 0 #30 December 21, 2006 I'm so sad to hear this! As a former Eloy regular with tons of friends still there, Tom was a staple of the dropzone that I always looked forward to seeing and saying hi to every time i visited. He was always reading! I loved that. And that photo by Mike McGowan is an amazing tribute. Blue Skies, Tom. AndiNever meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dharma1976 0 #31 December 21, 2006 I am a gonna go get me some wireless headphones and a can of beer and watch television whilest eating popcorn he was a hella nice guy and will be missed while I am there this march. Davehttp://www.skyjunky.com CSpenceFLY - I can't believe the number of people willing to bet their life on someone else doing the right thing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ashtanga 0 #32 December 22, 2006 I spent many a day and many a night with Tom. I know he is in a better place. Tom was homeless and living in the desert before he found Skydive Arizona. He had many local and international friends because of his job. Avid reader, he also impressed everyone by bringing his guitar and completing a live acoustic and vocal set at the Bent Prop. Blue Skies, Tom! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greybeard 0 #33 December 22, 2006 Damn, Brought a box of books for Tom just last Sunday, and hoped do some shooting and drinking and singing. Peace, Tom Wiliams, a better man than I. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
efs4ever 3 #34 December 22, 2006 QuoteI have been to Eloy a few times for training camps/vacations... Tom sounds familiar, but I am having a hard time putting name + face. Anyone have a picture? I'm on the road (to Eloy) More pics at the house.Russell M. Webb D 7014 Attorney at Law 713 385 5676 https://www.tdcparole.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #35 December 22, 2006 i could never remember his name so always said "hi tram man" to him and he would smile. He is missed. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #36 December 22, 2006 oh fuck...that just sucks... Eloy loses more of the color that makes it special.... BSBD.. thanks for the many rides and pick ups Tom, you will be missed.....____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Judit 0 #37 December 22, 2006 That's very sad . Eloy won't be the same without Tom! He'll be missed! Thank you very much for the safe tram rides and the chats we had! RIP my friend Take risks not to escape life but to prevent life from escaping Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bbarnhouse 0 #38 December 22, 2006 There will not be a "memorial service" for Tom as per his wishes. Tom was part of our family here and of course we will be celebrating Tom's life. There will be a tree planted in honor of Tom. The family welcomes any cards and stories that you may want to share. They may be sent to the address below the post. It was Tom's desire to have his ashes dropped over the DZ followed by a "wake that would do ya proud". He wanted his friends together laughing and having fun.He didn't want anything more than this. Discussion is underway regarding the date, but it looks to be mid-January. I will post the information here soon. B2 Send Memory cards to: Skydive Arizona Manifest 4900 N Taylor Rd Eloy, AZ 85231 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MissMae 0 #39 December 22, 2006 I'm glad to hear that there it is going to be how he wanted, I will definitley want to be part of that ash dive when it happens. I remember talking to him in the bar quite in depth last year on New Years Eve, he showed a whole other side that I hadn't seen. What a gentle and kind soul. RIP Tom, I will miss the hugs and your ever glowing smile and kindness. take the time to appreciate the people around you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #40 December 23, 2006 Sorry to hear it. Blues.~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bbarnhouse 0 #42 December 23, 2006 The ash dive for Tom will take place on Saturday January 13th at sunset. It will be followed by a life celebration in the Bent Prop. B2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeyRamone 0 #43 December 24, 2006 I am sorry for the loss of your friend. GOD SPEED. Tim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattjw916 2 #44 December 24, 2006 Blue Skies Tom!NSCR-2376, SCR-15080 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sonicfreefly 0 #45 December 24, 2006 I just left Eloy a week ago and find it hard to believe that Tom will not be there when I return in Jan. I will truly miss seeing him reading and smoking by manifest. Tom was not a man of many words, but you know still waters run deep. R.I.P Amigo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyflyer77 0 #46 December 25, 2006 QuoteThere will not be a "memorial service" for Tom as per his wishes. Tom was part of our family here and of course we will be celebrating Tom's life. There will be a tree planted in honor of Tom. The family welcomes any cards and stories that you may want to share. They may be sent to the address below the post. It was Tom's desire to have his ashes dropped over the DZ followed by a "wake that would do ya proud". He wanted his friends together laughing and having fun.He didn't want anything more than this. Discussion is underway regarding the date, but it looks to be mid-January. I will post the information here soon. B2 Send Memory cards to: Skydive Arizona Manifest 4900 N Taylor Rd Eloy, AZ 85231 Sorry to hear about your lose. We'll celebrate his life and known kindness to you all at our dz Greene Co SPS. Tom, it sounds like people like you make life worth living! Fly Free up there If I stand on my tip toes, I can see the weekend from here! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
soulshine 0 #47 December 26, 2006 Ya know, it's rare that I post here anymore. I couldn't resist when I saw this thread about Tom. He was indeed an incredible man. It's difficult to say anything about him without feeling trite and cheesy as hell. For those that knew Tom, knew what a tough old bastard he could be. He smoked like a freight train, was grouchy as hell sometimes, drank like a fish, and devoured Soduku books and read everything he could get his hands on. Damn, what an original soul. He lived more lives than most of us could hope to. The night that we celebrated him in the bar with lots of Busch in a can I couldn't help thinking of how god-awful that damn beer is. I hope Tom is drinking good beer now and chain-smoking without coughing. Best wishes to you, you tough old bird... wherever you are. Bombing for peace is like fucking for virginity! ~DEVIOUS BEEF~~FGF #69~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benforde 0 #48 December 27, 2006 Sad news, Good old Tom, he was the only person i could count on when i needed a light, a great bar fly, The sound of his distinct cough was rivaled only by the rattely growel the junky old Ford he drove, pulling the tram back and forth.. one of these old folks, weathered and kind, even when he was a grump when we changed the TV channels he still was a cool man. Definitely a real part of the soul of Skydive AZ, I'll miss you. Be well up there. Cheers to you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites benforde 0 #49 December 27, 2006 Tom, right after I dropped my helmet under his weels... you can see he spared my camera. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skykittykat 0 #50 December 29, 2006 I just heard about Tom's passing and was shocked and saddenned. Tom was a special person to have known and spent time with. Betsy, thanks for the info re memorial cards and the ash dive - my spirit will be there and I will raise a beer on Saturday the 13th evening wherever I am in the world. Liz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 3 Next Page 2 of 3 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
benforde 0 #49 December 27, 2006 Tom, right after I dropped my helmet under his weels... you can see he spared my camera. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skykittykat 0 #50 December 29, 2006 I just heard about Tom's passing and was shocked and saddenned. Tom was a special person to have known and spent time with. Betsy, thanks for the info re memorial cards and the ash dive - my spirit will be there and I will raise a beer on Saturday the 13th evening wherever I am in the world. Liz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 3 Next Page 2 of 3 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
skykittykat 0 #50 December 29, 2006 I just heard about Tom's passing and was shocked and saddenned. Tom was a special person to have known and spent time with. Betsy, thanks for the info re memorial cards and the ash dive - my spirit will be there and I will raise a beer on Saturday the 13th evening wherever I am in the world. Liz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
