Thomas Freeman Thomson

Thomas Freeman Thomson III ('Tommy') slipped quietly from his family and into the arms of our Lord and Savior on Saturday night, February 25. For a man who lived life large and loud, it was a peaceful death assuring his loved ones that Tommy had 'fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept his faith.' As Saturday quietly slipped into Sunday, the family said their last goodbyes knowing he was with his beloved wife Carolyn Ihly Thomson, who preceded him in death in 2011. Tommy was 80 years old.



Tommy was born in Jacksonville, Florida on March 12, 1936. He grew up in Savannah, GA graduating from Savannah High School in 1954. Tommy served in the Georgia Air National Guard 165th Airlift Wing. Always active in sports, he continued playing recreationally after marrying his sweetheart Carolyn and welcoming two devoted children, Lisa and Curtis.



Among his great passion was baseball/softball and it was a lifelong love. Tommy coached American Legion Baseball and Youth Baseball for decades. When his son, Curtis, began playing baseball for Armstrong in 1979, Tommy began serving as a volunteer Assistant Coach. Retired ASU Baseball Coach, Joe Roberts, is quoted as saying 'Tommy came to the baseball field and never left.' He volunteered his time and coaching skills from 1980 until the current season. One of the favorite yearly events for the Baseball Team was the annual 'T Man Steak Dinner' where each baseball team seemed determined to eat more steak than the year before ' all hosted by Tommy. This tradition led to his joke that he should have invested in cattle back in the 1980s. He was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame for Old Timers Softball Club in December 2010. He was also inducted into the Armstrong State University Hall of Fame on April 9, 2011.



When 'Mr. T' (as his children's friends called him) wasn't coaching baseball, he enjoyed his other passions including fishing, bowling, 'gambling with the Chinamen,' his dear friends, family gatherings with the Lamson's and entertaining and housing many friends and relatives who needed a haven, whether a baseball player for a year or a relative for many years. His door was always open and his heart was opened wider.



Professionally, Tommy was the owner of Ramelle's Florist, along with his wife, Carolyn, Savannah Bowling Supply, and Harry's Liquorama. Often teased that he only worked to underwrite his hobbies, he would be the first to agree and never missed an opportunity to meet his buddies for a card game, a bowling trip, or afternoon of fishing. His final two weeks spent in the hospital was truly a testament to how great Tommy was loved as Armstrong baseball players and coaches, past and present, his children's friends, and his dear buddies of many decades kept constant vigil over him. Not an hour would pass without Tommy's family being entertained by many who shared stories of Tommy's larger than life experiences. The family remains grateful to those many friends who eased Tommy's transition into heaven with laughter and love. Special thanks to his dear old buddies Dave Sloan and Jerry Hendrix who were with him until the end.



In their retirement, Tommy and Carolyn found a new passion in attending the Savannah Theater regularly. After his wife's death, Tommy began attending the theater's performances at least weekly, often twice a week. He said it eased his loneliness in missing Carolyn. In attending, he was blessed with a new family in the theater performers who welcomed him warmly, enjoyed his honest reviews of the performances, and teased him about his desire to have Patsy's Cline's 'Crazy', 'Unchained Melody' or Elvis tunes sung at each show. The performers became a second family. Tommy, ever the flirt, brought the girls cakes on their birthdays and roses on St. Valentine's Day. The Savannah Theater family, as a show of their love for Tommy, sang at his huge 80th birthday party and are singing at his funeral. The family thanks their dear friends at the Savannah Theater who gave Tommy a renewed sense of life in the years after Carolyn's death and will cherish the kindness shown to Tommy. As Tommy liked to brag, the Savannah Theater is second to none and Savannah is blessed to have them here.



In addition to his beloved wife Carolyn, Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Freeman Thomson, Jr. and Ramelle Smith Davis. Tommy's smile, booming voice, and gentle spirit will be missed by so many he left behind especially his devoted children, Lisa Thomson McGalliard (Craig) and Curtis Thomson (Donna), his beloved grandchildren, Robbie McGalliard, Sarah McGalliard, Caitlyn Thomson, Tanner Thomson and one special grandchild, Lily Grace Tomlinson. Also surviving is his beloved sister Brenda Thomson Knox (Pat) of Palm Springs, California and his devoted sister in law, Barbara Ihly Anderson.



As a long-time florist owner, flowers are certainly welcomed but if you would like to send a memorial offering instead, please donate in the name of Tommy to White Bluff United Methodist Church, where Tommy was a member for 50 years.



The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 o'clock Thursday at Gamble Funeral Service ' 410 Stephenson Avenue.



The funeral service will be held at 12 noon Friday at White Bluff United Methodist Church with pastor and friend John Haney presiding. Interment will be in Greenwich Cemetery.