So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! (and MUCH, MUCH more!)

On Saturday morning my grandfather (DaddyTom) went to heaven. He will be missed greatly but I know he is now in a better place, looking down upon us all, and smiling.

As a child I spent most of my weekends and summers at my grandparents house, in Quincy, about 20 minutes away. Most of my time was spent fishing (and hunting in the winters) with DaddyTom. DaddyTom lived a very clean and wholesome life but had one addiction, and fishing was it.

From the time I was young, up until he physically could not do it anymore, DaddyTom fished twice a day, 6 days a week, taking only Sunday’s off and I was there to go with him as often as I could be. If you asked my parents back then they would of said I was gone waaaayyyy to much. I am sure my folks would of liked me home more but its kind of hard to compete with all day fishing with an expert fisherman, a swimming pool and a bunch of fun cousins and friends….and of course a #1 Grandmother (MammaTom), so of course I was there as much as I could be.

Most of our time fishing was spent slow drifting and hunting for the big bass and talking about pretty much anything. I think those were some of the happiest times in my life so far. I learned all about his life and he taught me many, many things. I attribute a lot of who I am today to the time I spent with him and I know he was proud to be able to be such a big part of my life. He was not only my grandfather and my fishing partner but he was my best friend.

As I am writing this I have begun to think how much of my life has been surrounded by fish and how they have always been such a positive part of my life. Now with DaddyTom gone in body (his spirit will be with me forever) I am now “fishing” every day with Nora and her Omegaven. Although with the Omegaven it seems like we are ALWAYS having a great day and catching our limit. It is hard losing him but I feel so fortunate to have known him so well and to have been given so much time with him over the years that it has made letting him go easier. My only regret is that he did not get to spend more time with Nora but I know he now gets to watch over her all the time from Heaven which makes me feel more secure than I have felt in a long time. I always knew Nora had a Guardian Angel but now she has two!

We love you DaddyTom and you will be with us in spirit forever. I will forever cherish all the time we had on Earth together and I look forward being with you again one day. I am sure the next time we meet you will have already found the best fishing holes in Heaven. Till then…..Fish on!

Obituary for Howard E. Thomas

1946-2008

Howard Edge Thomas, 88, died Saturday, February 9^th, at his home in Quincy.

Mr. Thomas was born in Martin, Georgia, and moved to Quincy with his wife, Evelyn Jarrard Thomas, in 1946. He worked in the automobile business and eventually established Thomas Motor Cars, Inc. He was a deacon and active member of the First Baptist Church, Quincy.

Mr. Thomas is survived by his wife and their children Brenda Thomas Patterson and her husband John of Yulee, Florida, Bruce Thomas and his wife Chris of Quincy, and Jody Thomas and his wife LoraLee of Tallahassee; seven grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Helen Crone of Dunellen, Florida, Hazel Daniel of Lawrenceville, Georgia, and Hilda Herbert of Ocala, Florida. He was preceded in death by his brother Hugh Thomas and his sister Harriet Robinson.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, February 12^th, at 11am at the First Baptist Church in Quincy. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10-11am in the church’s fellowship hall.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the First Baptist Church, 210 W. Washington St., Quincy 32351 or to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd, Tallahassee, Florida 32308.