*****Originally posted on FB on Saturday, February 5, 2011*****
Our Tom. I remember the first time I met you in Stillwater. Troy and I hadn't been together very long and honestly you scared the hell out of me. You were big, tattooed and loud! I was a very idealistic, recent college grad and had never met a "real" biker. It was quite the experience. It didn't take me long to realize that you were true blue and someone that I would always love. If I was putting together a team, I wanted you on it!
Troy and I moved to Tulsa and ended up living with you. Patti moved to Arizona and you needed someone to stay in your house while you were working on the rig in the North Sea. It was a blessing for us and I like to think for you too. I met lots and lots of "real bikers" and realized they may look scary, but have hearts of gold. It was during this time that we found out that Troy had cancer. We didn't have insurance and both lost our jobs. You did your best to help out and help take care of us. You, Chief and many of the other biker's built a motor and it was auctioned off at the MayFit in Pawhuska in 1989. In one weekend you and the others raised over $5K selling raffle tickets for the motor. The winner donated the motor back to be raffled again at the September Biker Day in the Osage. The money went to help with expenses to get Troy to Kansas City for the surgery that he needed. I don't know what we would have done without you.
Troy and I loved you so much. You always made me laugh with your sick sense of humor and crazy ways. You were our best friend. Troy and I ended up moving to Texas for a job. You moved out of the house and many, many things changed. I can't and don't wish to explain it all, because truly it doesn't matter. But, there were many years that we lost contact with you and for many reasons. I remember how happy Troy and I were when we were all able to put it behind us and be a family again.
Trina had an opportunity to know you. Ty not so much. I wish he had also been able to spend quality time with you. He would have loved you more than he does now.
I remember your kindness. I remember you were the kind of person who would make a mental note of something someone wanted or needed and one day just show up with it. No strings attached. Just because you wanted to. It was those simple pleasures that gave you happiness. To see others happy. You loved to joke and have a good time and I can still see you throw your head back and belly laugh.
Your wants and desires later on became very simple. You wanted your love Terri and you wanted to be out in the country living a simple life. I am grateful that you had the opportunity to make that happen. We didn't see you often, but it was usually quite the experience when we did!
Life isn't always easy and it sure isn't always fair. You had many illnesses and you did the best you could dealing with them. When you became ill the last time, you shared your wishes. Again, they were simple. No heroic measures. No life support. No traditional burial and no services. Keep it simple. Cremation and move on with life.
Tom, I hope we (I) told you often enough that we loved you. I believe you knew. You were a husband, son, brother, uncle and friend. You did the best you could with all of those titles. I am proud to have known you and to have loved you. Again, life isn't fair. January 11, 2011 (1/11/11) will be a day we will always remember. It is "funny" that you would go on such a date. God Bless You Tom. You will always be loved and you will never be forgotten.
Lott's of Love!
Our Tom. I remember the first time I met you in Stillwater. Troy and I hadn't been together very long and honestly you scared the hell out of me. You were big, tattooed and loud! I was a very idealistic, recent college grad and had never met a "real" biker. It was quite the experience. It didn't take me long to realize that you were true blue and someone that I would always love. If I was putting together a team, I wanted you on it!
Troy and I moved to Tulsa and ended up living with you. Patti moved to Arizona and you needed someone to stay in your house while you were working on the rig in the North Sea. It was a blessing for us and I like to think for you too. I met lots and lots of "real bikers" and realized they may look scary, but have hearts of gold. It was during this time that we found out that Troy had cancer. We didn't have insurance and both lost our jobs. You did your best to help out and help take care of us. You, Chief and many of the other biker's built a motor and it was auctioned off at the MayFit in Pawhuska in 1989. In one weekend you and the others raised over $5K selling raffle tickets for the motor. The winner donated the motor back to be raffled again at the September Biker Day in the Osage. The money went to help with expenses to get Troy to Kansas City for the surgery that he needed. I don't know what we would have done without you.
Troy and I loved you so much. You always made me laugh with your sick sense of humor and crazy ways. You were our best friend. Troy and I ended up moving to Texas for a job. You moved out of the house and many, many things changed. I can't and don't wish to explain it all, because truly it doesn't matter. But, there were many years that we lost contact with you and for many reasons. I remember how happy Troy and I were when we were all able to put it behind us and be a family again.
Trina had an opportunity to know you. Ty not so much. I wish he had also been able to spend quality time with you. He would have loved you more than he does now.
I remember your kindness. I remember you were the kind of person who would make a mental note of something someone wanted or needed and one day just show up with it. No strings attached. Just because you wanted to. It was those simple pleasures that gave you happiness. To see others happy. You loved to joke and have a good time and I can still see you throw your head back and belly laugh.
Your wants and desires later on became very simple. You wanted your love Terri and you wanted to be out in the country living a simple life. I am grateful that you had the opportunity to make that happen. We didn't see you often, but it was usually quite the experience when we did!
Life isn't always easy and it sure isn't always fair. You had many illnesses and you did the best you could dealing with them. When you became ill the last time, you shared your wishes. Again, they were simple. No heroic measures. No life support. No traditional burial and no services. Keep it simple. Cremation and move on with life.
Tom, I hope we (I) told you often enough that we loved you. I believe you knew. You were a husband, son, brother, uncle and friend. You did the best you could with all of those titles. I am proud to have known you and to have loved you. Again, life isn't fair. January 11, 2011 (1/11/11) will be a day we will always remember. It is "funny" that you would go on such a date. God Bless You Tom. You will always be loved and you will never be forgotten.
Lott's of Love!
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