Some of the guys I hang out with know this already but for the rest of you who know me, I thought it was time I let you know what is happening as well. Last Saturday morning I got a call that my Dad was not do well, so I got on a plane and headed south. Six months ago, Dad had surgery to repair the Aorta, it went pretty well but they had to go back in six weeks later to fix a leak (at 90 years old everything is fragile). They got that fixed, but he ended up with an infection that led to several infections. They did everything they could but given his age there wasn't much they could do. So it has been a rough road for all of us. Not doing the surgery would have been worse because of the nature of the problem. I got there in time to see him and though he could not say much, I held his hand and I told him how much I loved him. I am thankful for that. They made him comfortable and we waited. So last Sunday afternoon Dad gently passed away.
How do you sum up a mans life in a few sentences. Dad served 6 years in the Navy, and was a Pearl Harbor survior. He was a family man and taught me nearly everything I know about working with my hands. He was more than just my Dad, he was my mentor and the guy who was always in my corner, thanks Dad, you are the best. His Memorial Service is Saturday at 1pm at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery...complete with an Honor Guard.
Believe it not, I am doing pretty well. Kris is here and she is looking after me. Both my brother and sister are here as well and we have spent alot of time together. I have had years to prepare for this day and I have worked hard to make sure we parted company leaving nothing unsaid. Whatever I may have done for him is nothing compared to how he has sacrificed for me. I will miss him greatly but in someways I will never loose him at all - all I have to do is look in the mirror to see him. So in many ways I am thankful for that too. So if you see me mumbling to myself, I am just talking it over with Dad.
Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
74'250 hare scrambler (project)
74' 1/2 440 maico
78' 440 maico
72' cr125 Husky (project)
74' TM125 suzuki
93' RMx 250 suzuki
Your family will be in my prayers. It is good that you can celebrate his life with lifelong memories. My deepest condolences. Mike
Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
1975 Can Am 175 TNT & 77 250 Black Widow
1979 Husqvarna OR250
1976-78 RM & 77-79 PE Suzuki's
1974 CR250M 07 CR125R & CR150R
My condolences as well during these trying times.
My Dad passed just over four years ago after fighting pulmonary fibrosis for nine years. He was ready to go and is now healthy and whole, but I think of him a little every day.
Patrick Houston
Tennessee
Thom, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Thank you for sharing, I believe we all feel a sense of pride in knowing that we carry on and represent our heritage. For me, the loneliest day of my life. God Bless, Tom
Thom,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family,
i dred the day when i get this same call, it is great that he lived a long and wonderful life, now he is home with God
respectfully,
Mike Gallagher, NJ.
[email protected]
Thom,
Thanks for sharing. You and your Family are in my Prayers.
Ron Carbaugh
Prayers to you and your family.
Big Dave
Thom,
Thanks for sharing your heartfelt words. It is so very special that you and your Father had such a connection. I never had that but love to see connected families like you guys. You are a Great guy My Brother and that is a reflection of your Father that you will always carry. Prayers and my deepest condolences to you and your family.
Larry P
Thom,Deepest condolences to you and yours.I think it's great that you and your Dad were so close and got everything said before he passed on.Hang in there Brother,
Ric
ric emmal
Your Dad was one of the Great Generation....heroes all. God bless you and keep your family close.
Jeff DeBell
Thom,
You were blessed to have the privilege of a 90 year old dad. Only count the sunny days.
Pete Petrick
175 Jackpiner
Slow but Good
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Thom. Sounds like your father experienced a full life, and passed on many good traits to you.
As Jeff said, your dad was one of the greatest generation. Heroes all. Not only has your family been blessed with this mans guidance , care and love, think of all the people in his lifetime whom he touched or influenced in some way. Truly a great man that God has called home for his just rewards. Not many get to see this example of sacrifice. My family will lift you and yours to the throne in prayer. I know he will be missed here on earth. My deepest sympathy, Hank
Hank Rinehart
We live in a very dark and sometimes violent world, and it is easy to be negitive, and think the worst..
Today is the Memorial service and we will gather to celebrate my Dad's life.. I feel a bit odd, I am Proud of my dad and his generation but I am sad too. Because it closes a book I have cherished for a long time. I am deeply touched by all the kind words, thoughts and prayers.. It means so much to me, thank you, each and everyone of you. you are a bright light in a darkened
world. It is time to live up to what he passed on, You are right about my dad, He touched so many and most of the time, he did it with out thinking. He did not have to say much, his actions said it all.. thanks again.
Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
74'250 hare scrambler (project)
74' 1/2 440 maico
78' 440 maico
72' cr125 Husky (project)
74' TM125 suzuki
93' RMx 250 suzuki
Thom, even after you close a book, you still remember the story. Prayers for you and your family.
Lew Mayer
Thom,
Sorry to hear of you loss. Remember,time will heal all.
Amhest Paul
THINKING OF you and your family.
BUD GREEN
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. It's tough to take when it happens, but you will have the memories to carry you through.
My Dad passed in '84, and I am constantly remembering things we did or that he taught me to this day. God bless you and yours.
Robert Manucy
72 Berkshire
72 Six Day
82 Honda cr250r
04 BMW K 1200 GT - KIA in N. Ga. - 32987 smiles
08 BMW K 1200 S
Thom, your story is felt, and it brings tears to my eyes. My dad too was a champion.
Now 6ft. under, his memory lives longer, than most.
Mostley, he never knew the person that I became.....in retro-spect, making choices and to be in positions, are desires that come from very high, and yet quiet places...It is a reflection of something that began a long time ago.
In closing, it was an honor to ride with you in Tulsa. I went back, not knowing or expecting anything......
The campfire is always lit
http://www.dkwracer.com/savefive/
bonjour mon-amee
Tom Brosius
Hi Thom,
Sorry to hear about your loss. We will keep you in our prayers.
Clay
Thom,
"A good hearted man shall see god." We are now starting to get a glimpse of whats on the otherside thru science and technolgy. I firmly believe you will see him again. Hopefully, you can gain some peace (and maybe even some joy) from that. Please pray with me that he has found the light of all but one world. I believe sometimes a prayer is all it takes.
Mike Lenz
Thom, I'm sorry for your loss. My dad passed when I was just 17, but like you, I still wonder what he would think of me and what I do. I like to think he still has an influence on me.
Mick
I am deeply touched by the concern of everyone, it is exactly what I expected from you..maybe even more.. It has been a rough few years for us. In the last 2 1/2 years I have only been able to ride any of my bikes twice. no racing for me until our job situation improves dramatically.. "I hang on to the One who hangs onto me." The Lord has been my stronghold. I know I will see both of my parents one day and many of my friends who have passed away as well, I was thinking of Thomas who passed away last summer.. I am sorry that I never got to ride with him, Getting to go to the ISDT RR was a highlight. It was an honor to ride with you tom and many others like young ted. Larry, you are a class act.. as are the rest of you. It is my honor to call you my friends and family. thankyou for the prayers and thoughts it is what holds me together.
Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
74'250 hare scrambler (project)
74' 1/2 440 maico
78' 440 maico
72' cr125 Husky (project)
74' TM125 suzuki
93' RMx 250 suzuki
Thom,
I haven't checked in here recently and just read about your losing your dad. My heart goes out to you and Kris. I know how much your dad meant to you, as we talked about lots of times. We realized our fathers were a lot alike when we swapped stories on our long ISDTR road trip. My dad would have been 91 this year, and like your dad, he never talked about his real war experiences in Luzon until just before he passed, never wanted to even validate that he took up arms against others because he had to. I continually look back at how he lived, accomplishments he achieved, and how he prepared all in my family with a never-failing work ethic and strong self sufficiency, and I wonder how I measure up in raising my kids. They broke the molds after our dads' generation, it seems.
So sorry to know the pain of your loss. Time will help heal the wound, and times will get better for you too. You've made it through the darkest parts, and good things come to good people. I know you're keeping the faith. Give a call to chat sometime soon.
Take care brother,
Jon
503-888-2851
That was a fabulous trip. I really enjoyed on long conversations about our Dad's and other things.. I cherish that time, is precious to me. thankyou for your kind words. thankyou too for helping become a part of vintage racing in the Northwest. I hope to return to racing one day soon, tell your wife and kids I said hi. by the way, I think you are doing a great job raising those kids of yours and your Dad would be proud of you, I know I am..
Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
74'250 hare scrambler (project)
74' 1/2 440 maico
78' 440 maico
72' cr125 Husky (project)
74' TM125 suzuki
93' RMx 250 suzuki