Tom was born on Sept. 26, 1936 in Lancaster but was raised in Broughton in Hampshire by his mum (with whom he was always close) and her family. Tom was first introduced to music at age 10 when the local band needed a trombone player, and being a boy with long enough arms to play, he was in! Tom met Pat on a double-date and the two of them hit it off quickly. Tom and Pat were married in September 1958, and set up home in a flat in Streatham. A year later Sue was born . Kate arrived to complete the family in 1965. The move to their home in Sunbury came in 1974. Tom’s police career began straight after National Service. It was in the 70’s that he joined the River Police and thoroughly enjoyed his role there. Goodness, the stories Tom could tell after his 30 year police career .
He and Pat loved to travel and undertook a round-the world trip, including a journey around America and it was while in a restaurant in Maine, that they met an artist called Ruth Kahler. The following year, they traveled to Valdosta in Georgia where Ruth lived with her daughter and family Janice and Andy Smith, and this began a relationship that lasted through the rest of Tom’s life. Tom even wrote a song for her “Ruthless Blues”.
They visited Valdosta & many times over the years, enjoying a relationship with Ruth’s sister and family Catherine and Chick McCraw in Tallahassee, including six-month stay with Ruth’s Valdosta friends Emma and George Murrah and enjoyed her son and family Jodie & Vickie Stevens over the years. Both Ruth and Emma’s families and friends enjoyed & cherished their friendship with Pat and Tom over the years.
Tom himself attended VSU there, and became involved in the music department, did a music course, and indeed made a significant impression on many people. In fact, one friend Ed Barr, wrote: “If Tom had stood for the Mayor of Valdosta, he would have walked it -he knew most of the town!” Many of these families and friends also enjoyed trips to the UK, obviously staying with Tom and Pat in Sunbury. It was a wonderful relationship!
In retirement he volunteered for many charitable organizations. Tom’s greatest passion was always his music. He was a self-taught trombone player, and indeed saxophone and trumpet too! In fact, he taught himself most brass and woodwind instruments over time, as well as being a great jazz pianist! He was a member of the Staines Brass Band and later the Twickenham College Big Band, before joining the Thames Television Big Band, where he played the variety of instruments at various points. He was even a stand-in drummer on one occasion. Latterly he joined the Cobham Brass Band and enjoyed a number of years playing concerts and competitions.
In addition to all this, he has been a loving Dad, Grand Dad, Great Grand Dad and devoted husband to Pat. Tom will be remembered as being a master storyteller, with a thirst for knowledge and always smiling. May Tom truly rest in peace. Love & Prayers for his Precious family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
