I write this story for those of you who did not know about Tom, or the circumstances behind his death. Please remember that Tom was a part of this class of 1972 for 12 years and I hope that if anyone has a story or comment they would like to share that they would do so. Even tho he is NOT here physically, he is here spiritually, and will get a chuckle out of whatever the comments or stories are...and you can be thankful he is not here to share the same!!!!
July 6, 2002 Tom had a 4 wheeler accident while spraying weeds behind our house. When I found him he was paralyzed from the neck down. After nine days in traction, Dr. Jeff Larsen performed surgery and fused his neck from C3-T1. The first thing after surgery in the recovery room was to wave both arms in the air (whole recovery room was crying!!). This began the road to recovery. Tom was in the hospital/St. Luke's Rehab for three months before coming home. He had to learn to feed, dress, write and drive all over again. Many months of frustration and relearning of SO many things that each one of us take for granted each year; BUT had years of inspiration and determination from family, friends, therapists, and people he did not even know. In the years to come, Tom was able to regain most of what he lost and was able to drive his pick up, tractor, swather, and combine; which truly was what he loved to do. Even tho Tom was bound to a wheel chair, his determination never lacked in what he wanted to do and how he was going to get there.
August 2008 found Tom again reaching within to find determination and inspiration. As he was driving to Cheney to pick up a flat bed for his dodge pickup he blacked out and ended up in an accident which rebroke his neck in the exact same place as six years before (they said this has never happened before...they did NOT know Tom!!). Surgery again took place with steel plates and screws being put into his spine but this time the spinal cord was very damaged. After finding out that his physical therapist from the first accident wanted to work with him again, Tom was admitted in North Idaho Advanced Care Hospital where he was successfully weined off a ventilator, taught to breath on his own, and was working toward becoming independent again. After five months in the hospital, Tom was able to come home and enjoy what would be the last month of his life. He was able to look out the livingroom window and watch the sunrise, watch the cows and most importantly, watch his grandkids play. Tom passed away peacefully in his sleep with his parents, kids and me at his side.
I skipped school (for the first and only time) with Tom and Richard right before graduation. I do NOT remember where we went in Spokane, but I do remember sitting between the guys coming down the Deep Creek hill stating (ok, maybe whinning) that we were in soooo much trouble if caught. It must have been a big day for me as it certainly made an impression. :-)
AND, he had the nicest handwriting. The only one that came close was Jim Wegner. Ok, maybe that is a girl thing. :-)
You don't go twelve years with someone without having a lot of memories. Cindy's right, he had the most beautiful handwriting. I also remember how much I liked dancing with him, he was such a good dancer and so easy to follow.
Some of you may not know that Tom and I were engaged, OK so it was in the 4th grade and he hadn't met LaVerne yet but I still remember it. The wedding was to be on the playground one warm Spring day but I chickened out at the last minute, guess I thought maybe I was too young. We also got in a little trouble one night after the school carnival when we got stopped by a sheriff. Tom's gift of gab certainly got us out of that one. I just kept saying "my dad will kill me" and he believed me.
I also will always remember all the good times Ira and I had with Verne and Tom when we were all young married couples. That trip to Canada will never be forgotten!
I'll always miss Tom, that ready smile he had and the way he moved his one eyebrow. I'm smiling as I think about it.
I liked reading these stories about Tom. He had spunk! Probably the only one who could really keep up with him was LaVerne (sorry, Dianna, your 4th grade marriage didn't work out!) Really, Verne and Tom were just amazing together.
I remember how our parents, Tom's and mine (and Richard was involved too, I think) planned a barn dance in our barn about our 9th or 10th grade year. Anyone remember more details? It was just so fun having a project like that to work on with Tom, and yes, when you think "dance", you think Tom.
He had the funniest sense of humor and the most amazing zest for life. If we are meant to learn from all the people who touch us, then "be bold and have fun" is what I learned from Tom.
LaVerne Batt (Rettkowski)
I write this story for those of you who did not know about Tom, or the circumstances behind his death. Please remember that Tom was a part of this class of 1972 for 12 years and I hope that if anyone has a story or comment they would like to share that they would do so. Even tho he is NOT here physically, he is here spiritually, and will get a chuckle out of whatever the comments or stories are...and you can be thankful he is not here to share the same!!!!
July 6, 2002 Tom had a 4 wheeler accident while spraying weeds behind our house. When I found him he was paralyzed from the neck down. After nine days in traction, Dr. Jeff Larsen performed surgery and fused his neck from C3-T1. The first thing after surgery in the recovery room was to wave both arms in the air (whole recovery room was crying!!). This began the road to recovery. Tom was in the hospital/St. Luke's Rehab for three months before coming home. He had to learn to feed, dress, write and drive all over again. Many months of frustration and relearning of SO many things that each one of us take for granted each year; BUT had years of inspiration and determination from family, friends, therapists, and people he did not even know. In the years to come, Tom was able to regain most of what he lost and was able to drive his pick up, tractor, swather, and combine; which truly was what he loved to do. Even tho Tom was bound to a wheel chair, his determination never lacked in what he wanted to do and how he was going to get there.
August 2008 found Tom again reaching within to find determination and inspiration. As he was driving to Cheney to pick up a flat bed for his dodge pickup he blacked out and ended up in an accident which rebroke his neck in the exact same place as six years before (they said this has never happened before...they did NOT know Tom!!). Surgery again took place with steel plates and screws being put into his spine but this time the spinal cord was very damaged. After finding out that his physical therapist from the first accident wanted to work with him again, Tom was admitted in North Idaho Advanced Care Hospital where he was successfully weined off a ventilator, taught to breath on his own, and was working toward becoming independent again. After five months in the hospital, Tom was able to come home and enjoy what would be the last month of his life. He was able to look out the livingroom window and watch the sunrise, watch the cows and most importantly, watch his grandkids play. Tom passed away peacefully in his sleep with his parents, kids and me at his side.
Tom passed away March 17, 2009.
Cindy Wynecoop (Duenwald)
I skipped school (for the first and only time) with Tom and Richard right before graduation. I do NOT remember where we went in Spokane, but I do remember sitting between the guys coming down the Deep Creek hill stating (ok, maybe whinning) that we were in soooo much trouble if caught. It must have been a big day for me as it certainly made an impression. :-)
AND, he had the nicest handwriting. The only one that came close was Jim Wegner. Ok, maybe that is a girl thing. :-)
We miss you Tom ...... "Sam"
Dianna Upchurch (Smithpeter)
You don't go twelve years with someone without having a lot of memories. Cindy's right, he had the most beautiful handwriting. I also remember how much I liked dancing with him, he was such a good dancer and so easy to follow.
Some of you may not know that Tom and I were engaged, OK so it was in the 4th grade and he hadn't met LaVerne yet but I still remember it. The wedding was to be on the playground one warm Spring day but I chickened out at the last minute, guess I thought maybe I was too young. We also got in a little trouble one night after the school carnival when we got stopped by a sheriff. Tom's gift of gab certainly got us out of that one. I just kept saying "my dad will kill me" and he believed me.
I also will always remember all the good times Ira and I had with Verne and Tom when we were all young married couples. That trip to Canada will never be forgotten!
I'll always miss Tom, that ready smile he had and the way he moved his one eyebrow. I'm smiling as I think about it.
Dianna
Cathy Bergeron (Ramer)
I liked reading these stories about Tom. He had spunk! Probably the only one who could really keep up with him was LaVerne (sorry, Dianna, your 4th grade marriage didn't work out!) Really, Verne and Tom were just amazing together.
I remember how our parents, Tom's and mine (and Richard was involved too, I think) planned a barn dance in our barn about our 9th or 10th grade year. Anyone remember more details? It was just so fun having a project like that to work on with Tom, and yes, when you think "dance", you think Tom.
He had the funniest sense of humor and the most amazing zest for life. If we are meant to learn from all the people who touch us, then "be bold and have fun" is what I learned from Tom.
Shirleen Sanders (Mitchell)
Shirleen Sanders (Mitchell)
A quick note here; this photo is one LaVerne asked me to post, showing Tom and Jake doing what they liked to do best! wonderful picture!