Our beautiful boy left this world in the early morning hours of Monday, December 29th at the age of 17. He took with him large pieces of our hearts, especially those of his father and mother. To know that we will never again see him in this world is devastating. To not know that the last hug, the last kiss, the last laugh, the last Christmas with him would be the last ever crushes us to our core.
Tommy had a laugh that could make everyone around him laugh. He had the most wonderful sense of humor and loved it when he could make anyone in his family laugh. Like his grandmother he loved to sing but couldn’t hold a tune. He loved going to lunch with his dad and Granny to any buffet or the Piccadilly Cafeteria. In his younger years he played baseball (briefly), soccer and basketball. He was particularly fast on the basketball court and was getting to be quite a good shooter before he left the sport. Tommy was very protective of his younger siblings and was a much loved big brother to them. He loved and admired his older brothers, especially his brother and best friend, Julius, as well as his cousins who he was always so happy to spend time with. His cousin Ethan who was born the same year was particularly close to Tommy and we have such wonderful memories of their times together.
In the last years of his life, our boy struggled with mental health issues and as hard as we all tried, including Tommy, he wasn’t able to overcome or even discuss the problems that plagued him. Ultimately, this is why we lost Tommy in a vehicle accident that should never have happened. For all of us who loved Tommy, our loss is immense. It is a hole in the hearts of his parents that will never be completely filled.
Tommy was preceded in death by his beloved great grandmother, Helen “Granny” Harrell and his grandfather, Fred Donour. He is survived by, and was the only child of his father, William E. Tomlinson IV, his mother, Milena Howard (Adam), grandparents Debbie Donour, William and Jeanne Tomlinson, Sherrie and Dennis Harrell, brothers Jay, Dominic, Julius, Declan and Monroe, sister, Abrial aunts Westley Parker (Charlie), Michele Goode, Kami McBrayer (Hill), Becky Bradley (Jim), uncles Doug Ward, Scott Wilson, Tim Yeates, Nick Harrell, Jacob Sawyer. Special friends Makaya and Rodney and numerous cousins, friends and family members.
Special thanks to Adrianne Bennett whose help navigating the process after this tragedy was invaluable. To Miranda Gomez who guided us with sincere and loving care through the aftermath. To special auntie Gail Irwin and Barbara Ricks for all their help.
“Goodbyes hurt the most when the story wasn’t finished.” Safe passage baby boy. We will miss you forever.
Memorial donations may be made in memory of Tommy to either The CHAS Foundation or Feral Affairs Network.
