Santa Tom

[da prez]

  If this has been posted , I apologize.  It has been over a year since Santa Tom has passed. March 3rd,2017.  I even had a post it note on the computer screen.  :uglystupid2:It is pretty bad when even with a reminder , I did not remember to post a memory of Santa.

           I hope all your heavenly rides are smooth my friend.

                                              da prez   

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

He was a good man with a kind heart I'm proud I got to know him.

[old2soon]

Eureka Springs Arkansas. Sittin in the shade near the pool drinking ice cold Old Style Beer and Santa Tom told me about his helicopter experiences in Nam. I was part time fixed wing aircrew and it was easy-too easy-to relate with what he laid out. And B T W-the ice cold Old Style wuz supplied by-ta da-da prez! Drank a cold one with him in Lacrosse right down from where all the bikes were parked. The lost lunch ride in Asheville in 14. Yeah-miss him.  Wishin ya nuttin but twistys and warm days and cold beer. RIDE SAFE.

[Jess from VA]

I was proud to know Tom, and shared a room with him several times on group ride hookups.

We often went to (separate) bed, then stayed up half the night talking about our military service, occupations, wives, and life in general.

A better human would be hard to find anywhere, and he is missed.

I will never forget the saucy Hooter's girls at lunch time who lined up to sit on his lap.  He was the perfect gentleman (and they kissed him anyway).  And the rest of us were jealous as hell.

Soldier on buddy.

[shortleg]

   I too find it hard to believe that Tom and for that fact so many fine men
have been lost.
   Tom was and will always be remembered  as a fine and very good man.
I always will remember our talks in the early hours on our way to get breakfast?
   

[..]

 

[Oss]

I think the good Lord loved Tom as I was once in back of him on a ride, watched him ride off the right side of the road (it was just a left turning spot in a small town) and thankfully his bike stopped upright in deep mud.  He simply stepped off the bike and some of us scraped off the mud and pushed his bike back on the shoulder of the road.

He took it with his gentle humor and we continued the ride  I think it might have been in Kentucky but it was years ago.  We have lost some good people.

[Gavin_Sons]

I think the good Lord loved Tom as I was once in back of him on a ride, watched him ride off the right side of the road (it was just a left turning spot in a small town) and thankfully his bike stopped upright in deep mud.  He simply stepped off the bike and some of us scraped off the mud and pushed his bike back on the shoulder of the road.

He took it with his gentle humor and we continued the ride  I think it might have been in Kentucky but it was years ago.  We have lost some good people.

That was on the fall color ride in Robbinsville.  I was on that ride. His explination: I just wasn't paying attention. 
He was one hell of a man. I'm glad I got to know him. I have a picture of my wife sitting on Santa's lap and my boys ask to see it from time to time. Brings back good memories. 

[DDT (12)]

Ross,

He was indeed a very special person who touched many lives in a positive way... mine but one... I miss him too. It's good he is remembered, as he was one of those people who come along once in a while and make a huge difference. Thanks for the post!

DDT

[Wizzard]

Great guy and glad I got to know him. They don't come any better.