Remembering Tim the Toolman

March19, 2022

I appreciate the opportunity to share some sweet AND some hilarious memories with you about Tim. We met in Troy, Alabama, at a youth rally in 1974. Tim and I had two things in common — our relationship with the Lord and our love for children.

If you knew Tim you knew he never did anything halfway. He was one of those serious Jesus freaks back in the seventies and I once counted 17 bumper stickers on his little Toyota Corolla.

I’ve always had a way with kids but when it came to Tim, he was a regular Pied Piper. My students really responded to me, but whenever Tim came for a visit, I became invisible. His wit and humor, as corny as it could be at times, would have the kids in my class rolling on the floor in less than a minute.

When Jude and Eva were born no one had to teach Tim how to be a fun granddad. He was a natural. Just ask them.

Those of you who knew Tim the Tool Man Allen knew how much he loved a project. He had great skill and was careful to do each step to perfection. Tim was always willing to help others and if you didn’t have a project for him, he’d help you find one. This is mostly because he had the heart of a servant, but also because it meant another trip to Lowes or Home Depot.

When Jarrod was small, like most of our friends, we were living on a tight budget so whenever we were planning to purchase a particular item, if Tim could make it, that was a plus. I remember when we decided Jarrod would enjoy a sandbox. Tim got busy right away drawing up the plan and as he did he thought, “Hmm . . . materials cost only a fraction more to build it a little bigger,” and he did. The sandbox project went from a 4’ by 4’ to 12’ by 12’ which was fine we thought because our large backyard could handle it. Neither of us considered how much sand we’d need to fill it nor what it would cost to get that much. Out of necessity he cut it back down to a more reasonable size.

Thus was the beginning of many more projects built extremely well but almost always supersized. Just ask his brother about the steps he built for Nana so she could climb into her rice bed. When Byron saw them, he said,

“What are you trying to climb — the Great Wall of China?!?

When my parents got older we sold their home of 36 years and moved them from Montgomery onto my sister’s property in Slapout. I could not have accomplished this without Tim. He contacted a mobile home manufacturer and designed a handicapped accessible comfortable home with all the accommodations they needed. However, after it was in place we realized they would need a ramp since neither of them could manage steps. Once again, Tim came to our rescue. He built the finest wheelchair ramp you’ve ever seen and trust me it was to code. The only problem was that it covered almost the entire length of the home.

I’d also like to add that Tim was the most wonderful father a son could have and he cherished every minute of being Jarrod’s Dad. Whatever interests Jarrod had became Tim’s. He made it his priority to get into them as well — whether it meant constructing a monstrous half pipe in our backyard, crafting pens from wood, making acrylic earrings to sell online, or building a gorgeous fountain in our garden. His dad was there.

His presence in my classroom taught me to be a better teacher. His constant giving of his time and talent, our time and money, taught me to be open hearted. His love for Jarrod helped me be a better mom, and I am grateful.

To summarize my thoughts concerning a bighearted man who made a huge impact on a wide range of friends from toddlers to grandparents, I think Tim would want to be remembered for how much he loved his family and friends - how much he loved us all. But, I think he’d most want to be remembered for how he loved the Lord and his love for others came from there.

Connie Allen Romager