Thomas was the ultimate “girl dad!” He was very hands-on and involved with raising his daughters. He loved his girls dearly, hugged them frequently, and taught them about hunting, shooting, fishing, carpentry, fighting and any other hands-on skill that they wanted to know about or that he thought they needed to know. He truly believed that his daughters could do anything they set their minds to.
Thomas loved the outdoors with his entire soul. He would spend hours everyday just walking around the woods enjoying nature, no matter if it was day or night. As a younger man, he loved canoeing on the local rivers. He taught his kids and grandkids how to canoe and swim and believe it or not, he taught them about jumping off bluffs and bridges, but with all the safety information and warnings of caution that could be mustered.
Thomas loved all forms of music. He taught himself to play multiple instruments, had a great singing voice, and even wrote songs. He performed in bands as a young man and sang in family weddings as he got older. There were many nights spent with the guitar and his girls teaching them to sing and make music. It was always a special treat at family gatherings when he would break out his guitar and play while the whole family called out songs and sang along.
Thomas is survived by the love of his life, his wife Gail, daughters Heather Rees (Ric), Heidi Darrow (Michael), and Tomi Coomer (Brad), Grandson Elijah Pettit (Paige), granddaughter Gracie Coomer and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and former students all of whom are better for having known him.
