2

W

AL

TER "T

OM"

WOODS

Thompson collectors all over the world have lost one of our best !

Tom was an electrical contractor and estimator his entire life in

Indiana. Some of his work is powering stadiums all over this

country.

Tom started in Thompsons with his purchase of a new in box West

Hurley which he bought in 1970 for $300. The bug was with him from

then on. He read and studied everything he could on the TSMG.

Tom was one of the founding members of the TCA and served as Vice

President for ten years and became the second President of that

group.

For me personally, Tom was my Best Friend. Tom had the ability to read my mind and know

what I was thinking, often before I did. He would always volunteer to work constructing the

displays and was always on hand to work the booths. He was great around the public and was

a great voice for our hobby.

When the split happened with the TCA, I called Tom to tell him when I had resigned. His

comment was "I knew you would, it is a matter of principle. Well, were do we go from here."

Tom became the second member of The American Thompson Association and later one of its

first Board of Directors. He was my sound board with whom I could bounce ideas off of to get

real feedback.

Tom was one of only two members to ever make it to ALL fifteen All Thompson Shows and

Shoots (the other member was L.J. Warren).

We all stand a little taller and prouder as collectors

because of the foundation that Tom Woods built and

the good "lighting" he provided.

With Respect and Love.

Tracie L. Hill