Happy Birthday, sweet man.  I miss you a lot…..

I heard a Blood, Sweat, and Tears song the other day and remembered Tom turned me on to that band, probably around 1968.  Tom was playing trumpet about that time, so I guess he was impressed with B,S,&T's music. I've enjoyed them too, and have Tom to thank for that.

Melanie & Christine.  I only know of you from hearing Tom speak lovingly of you. I am so sorry for your loss.  I’m crying as I type this.  I’ve known Tom since he helped me at my 1st home, in Mission Hills, at least 25 years ago; the last big project he did for me was a staircase into my canyon in Scripps Ranch so I could access it.   I’m so grateful I met him and we became friends.  I first heard about his cancer a year ago; and, went to visit him at the VA hospital the 1st time he was admitted.  We didn’t have enough time.   I will ALWAYS remember our Mexican food meetups at Carnitas Uruapan, dinners at my place, country music, political discussions and so many more ‘made memories’.   RIP Dear Friend.  I am so sad.  But “I am BLESSED” I got to know you.

I lost my best friend Tom . I have been trying to come to grips with Tom’s passing . I have known Tom since  the late 60s early 70s . We grew up less than a mile away from each other . Our family lived in Brookside and his family lived off central .  Their property backed up to our housing development. In those days instead of walking around  central avenue and up  Tom’s incredibly steep driveway we hopped fences . Their property was not in a development . They had many fruit trees and avocados if my memory serves me right. Their house was a very expansive single story home  with a very large covered patio between the big garage . Also there were a couple of out buildings one of which I remember we used as a getaway/ hideout . We spent many days playing in the orchard  or riding his mini bike up and down his long gravel driveway . Tom had a fascination with anything that had a motor and wheels . He garnered the name Tommy Two Wheelie . Motorcycles and fast cars were the order of business when he got his license . Burning rubber in cars  and popping wheelies on motorcycles was the norm for Tom . As we got older he went off to the army and Germany . When he returned  we both went to apprenticeship carpentry school in Santee . After we became journeymen he chose commercial concrete construction and I went into housing construction . We always kept in touch and both started families and stayed in the area of Spring Valley and La mesa . Tom always had the yearly 4th of July parties when he lived on Challenge avenue in Spring Valley  While I lived in LaMesa we celebrated Easter and the bunny at our place yearly. Melanie and Christine you might remember hunting for eggs in the grass . 

When Construction slowed down in the yers after Tom started his own handyman business  and was very successful.  When I was out of work he would have something for me to do the next day  . We both knew exactly what needed I to be done and worked together very well .  His work ethic, honesty and ability to to get the job done for a fair price kept him busy for many years . He was the first person I ever knew to have a “mobile phone” in his truck when they first came out . It was hooked up to his truck horn so we could hear it while we worked away from the truck .  I’ll never forget the many times we’d be on a roof or in a ditch only to have the horn go off and see Tom go like a bat out of hell to answer the phone .Toms favorite saying was , “ The customer is always right “ . Tom had  so many customers in San Diego from the mountains to the beaches that he will be deeply missed by all  . 

  Five years ago I moved to North Carolina to be with my son and two grandsons and have not had a chance to make it back to see my best friend Tom . But Tom and I always talked a couple times a week over the last five years . I knew he was having healt issues but didn’t realize how sick he was . I’m thinking he didn’t wan to alarm me as to how serious his illness was. In the last few years I found Jesus again and I think Tom did also. We talked many times about our faith and our catholic upbringing at Saint John of the Cross in Lemon Grove and prayed for each other .  I have faith and believe I will see my best friend in heaven again .  Tom was one of the best ,honest , loyal  and positive friends a man could ever ask for. I deeply miss his uplifting spirit and gracious presence and will forever be grateful for knowing such a wonderful man.   May God Bless Tom and hold him in his loving arms until we meet again . Kerry 🙏🏼✝️🙏🏼 

I pray 🙏🏼 for you Christine and Melanie.  Tom talked of you both many times and was so proud of you both.  May  some of my memories of your father  help you in the days months and years ahead . May The Good Lord Bless you both with peace 🕊️ and understanding in this difficult time .  Kerry . 

I think I am seeing through the shock. It wasn’t that I didn’t know Tom had the debilitating trials with cancer. We had spoken to him, visited, my husband Mike had driven him to chemo, we had taken him biscuits and gravy - a request because Tom had a craving after grueling treatments. Maybe it was my denial or maybe sheer optimism. Our last phone call from Tom, in the days before he passed, was everything you’d expect a goodbye to be, and I somehow just didn’t see it coming. As I was near silent listening to his words, I can only hope it was conveyed we loved him dearly. I hope he knew that. It’s curious what comes to mind in the moments that have followed. I keep thinking about the emphatic way Tom would say “Michael” each and every time he’d greet my husband, as if he was joyfully seeing him for the first time ever. How I’ll miss that! I remember, as friendships develop - in this case at school drop-offs - it was always easy chit-chat with Tom while our oldest girls became fast friends in kindergarten, 35 years ago. Those chit-chats quickly gave way to frequent get-togethers and camping trips and in short order, a loyalty that withstood time. I remember him meeting our newborn Matthew. I remember meeting that beautiful little red-haired preschooler whom we learned was Melanie. I remember going to the hospital to meet beautiful newborn Christine for the first time…both of whom took such precious, loving care of Tom. I recall Tom’s ever-present Necco Wafers many years ago. I remember the Friday night dinners at Chef Vito’s, and then the ride a short distance to turn out all adults and five kids from Tom’s big van just to play tag in a pitch-black park. Looking back now, I see food was also a thread throughout. There were those runs to Beef ‘n Bun for milkshakes (and burgers)! I remember Tom and Mike running along little, newly 2-wheeled bikes on those camping trips. It was Tom who found our used motorhome for us so we could share in those monumental camping weekends. I remember Tom had an, I suppose, aversion to texting. I don’t know if he ever knew this, but Mike and I would play around and text him something we thought too intriguing not to respond, just to see if we could get him to text back. He stood firm, never a return text, just a near-immediate phone call and sometimes a “What was that?” I had to giggle even in these last days, I pulled out my phone to text Melanie and Christine via Tom’s number only to find I had last texted him some time ago a random silly dog photo just testing to see once again if Tom would text a response, any response…nope. I’m pretty sure he just understood and accepted we were weird. I remember “The Dads,” as they were known around our little community. Tom and Mike would go into the classroom and read to the kids on school days before the guys took off for work. Walter ushered in “The Dads”…what an impact they had, all three of them. I remember being nearly too nervous to go on an out-of-town business trip with the thought of leaving my babies behind (who were ridiculously not even close to being babies at that time), but I relented simply because Tom stayed with them in our absence. Times change, lives change, children grow up, but Tom remained the powerfully still, never-drawing-attention-to-himself presence in our lives. He stood witness to everything important, his allegiance abiding—whether mourning the passing of a brother or father, celebrating birthdays, or offering a big grin and an even bigger hug when we learned of the birth of our first and only grandbaby four years ago. (Tom was with us, anxiously waiting by the phone, when we got word). I will miss Tom, Ash and Matt will miss him, and my heart hurts knowing how much Mike will miss him, too…but how fortunate we are that Tom shared his life with us! Being a testament to each others’ lives through the years is a mighty thing. He touched so many lives. It’s been our absolute privilege and honor, I can’t even yet comprehend how lucky we’ve been. Flights of angels, dear friend - we’ll carry you with us always. We send our deepest condolences to you, Melanie and Christine, and all of Tom’s many loved ones.

I miss Tom. He was a fun nice guy had a lot of knowledge of San Diego .  I was working with him for about a year As we drove to different jobs He would tell me all the things he did in the Spring Valley La Mesa area as a kid . We used to talk about how things changed over the years all over sd county he was always positive and helpful and available a great guy 🤠 Rest in peace brother I miss you.😘🙏your friend Jim.

My condolences to all of you.Tom was the sweetest, caring  man, smiles every where he went .He will be missed dearly.🙏🙏

To the entire Vorman family, please accept my deepest condolences for the loss of your dad, grandfather and brother.  Tom was a very dear friend for many years and always stayed in touch even if just to say hi. 

 My parents adored Tom. He always helped my dad with his garden and brought my mom a coo-coo clock from Germany which she loved.  They thought of him as a second son. 

 I was recently lucky enough to spend time with him when he did some work for me. We laughed and reminisced about things we did as kids.  He reminded me that I used to call him "Wheelie" from his motorcycle riding days with my brother Paul.   He was a gentle person with a kind soul and will be missed.  

We love you Tom, rest in peace.   

Gay Peterson (Stoudt)

I was blessed to have had all three of Tom's daughters in my second grade classroom at Casa de Oro Elementary.  Even more blessed to have become friends. Our daughter was the same age of Tom's oldest and in scouts together. Our get togethers at Tom and Kathy's house with other families from CDO are full of very fond memories. One of the first conversations I remember having with him before becoming  good friends was the story about the skunk that got in downstairs at his house.                                       He would go out of his way to help people and just the kind of guy that this world needs more of!!!!

Melanie and Christine our hearts are heavy for your loss of such a wonderful man and loving Dad, taken too soon. I feel so blessed to have had that hour with him on Thursday.  Thank you Mike for telling me about Tom, giving me that time with him.

My Condolences to the family RIP Tom 

Sad to hear this our prayers are with you all. Tom was always one of the kindest guys I've ever  met. Went to high school together. Later in years worked for him awhile. I'm sure he'll be missed greatly by his family & friends.