My Uncle Tommy was a good man. He was a captain, soldier, husband, father, executive, neighbor, friend and Uncle. He was kind, curious, friendly, stern, thorough, obsessive, intelligent, caring and intense. He could teach. He would rather do it right the first time. He could listen. He would rather hear from you than not. He was tough. He knew what it took to get things done. He was busy. He didn’t sit around and wait – he was not idle. He had a lot of layers. He had a lot of stories. He lived a lot of life. He was a man of conviction. He was someone to be admired as much for his character as for the interesting things he had done and the beautiful people he kept around him.
Tommy taught me how to use chopsticks, sail a boat, care for a wife, keep a family together, question my children, wear sunglasses, block an RV, think about business, build a Honderosa, do things right, be strong AND caring.
I remember Tommy teaching me how to sail a boat. He was very serious about teaching my brother Kirk and I. He was earnest and we paid attention to the captain. I remember his pride. I can’t remember if he was proud of us, his boat, or the capable way he could sail it into a slip without using the motor. It didn’t matter which, I felt proud too, watching him, because I knew that it was a difficult thing to do – to just use the wind, sails and rudder to guide that boat right up to the pier. We all smiled and clapped under the moonlight as the boat gently stopped next to the pier. I remember how proud we all felt at his accomplishing such a thing so deftly. I could tell he was proud too. Tommy did a lot of things like that right up to the very end. I think it is the way I will remember him.
Tommy just sailed up to the pearly gates. He did it with dignity, strength, and an amazing, worthy life. I’m really glad too, because now we’ve got someone in heaven who will soon know everyone up there. He’ll have a bunch of projects going and he’ll get it in ship shape before we get there. We celebrate your life Tommy. You touched many lives and made the world better.
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