Forum: Oklahomatidbits.com General Forum (go)
Moderators:  /  David Smith Jr

My prayers are with his family.

Thomas Tillison

Just got the call from Stanley and email from Jones about Tom's passing and really hate to hear this. No matter what peoples thoughts of him at the racetrack, this was a human being and terrible something like this had to happen with him. Complications of cancer is what I have been told.

On the racing side, I don't think there was anybody as dedicated to the track as Tom was. Don't know exactly how many years he prepped the track and was there but I know it was a long time. I know he was an avid reader here on tidbits and while he never posted, I knew he was always reading as he would definately let me know if there was something I posted he disagreed with. Ain't nothing wrong with that.

Unless somebody beats me to it, I will post funeral arrangements here.

Thoughts and prayers to the Sanders family.

R.I.P. Tom

David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com

My thoughts and prayers are with his family. R.I.P. Tom

I agree with David. Weather you hated the guy or liked him he was still a pretty good guy. Some of the things he did would put a smile on anyones face. Just ask Randy Ward about his 21st b-day with Slugo.

RIP Tom.

Our thoughts and prayers to the Sanders and Ter Steege families. Tom was between a rock and a hard place running the track. He always made sure he spoke to me no matter where I saw him. One of the best things I ever saw was the year the ORA had a picnic at Whitewater and he went down the White Lightning slide. RIP. The Jones'

Our sincere condolences to the Tom Sanders family RIP (Sluggo)

Eleanore & Don Hubbard

Sooner Circles

www.hoseheads.com

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Sanders Family. We appreciate all Sluggo did for us in the preparation of Harold's memorial service. If the family needs anything, please let us know...

Sincerely,

The Leep Family

I met Tom when he was running a super in the late '80s. Back then he always had a smile, and would talk to you even if you had not a dime to your name. The tough exterior I guess was really a front in an effort to protect both the track and the racers. Even if it meant he looked like a jerk, we deep down knew better.

Godspeed Sluggo

Tom was a great guy. He would always visit for a minute before the races. Sometimes during and after the races he probably would have just as soon shot us, but you gotta admit he had the toughest job at the track dealing with all of us butthead racers.

Our thoughts and Prayers are with the Sanders Family.

God Speed Buddy

What a total shock!! I had the pleasure of working at the track with Tom for some 12 years. In the late 80's when we would have 120 cars a night to tech, it was me & Tom against the world.

The man really worked hard for racing in OKC & you have GOT to respect that. Every single race night he would take time to swing by on the golf cart & say howdy. I will miss that.

When I think about it , back then my son even used to go over & spend the night with Tom's son.

I just lost a very good friend. God speed Tom.

I worked with Tom for alot of years. He was a really good friend and without him the track will not be the same. We will miss him. Our hearts our will his family and other friends.

The Dula Family

R.I.P. Tom State Fair Speedway will never be the same.

thanks tillison from wiegert

Are prayers are with sanders family

I only got to know Tom a few years back when i started racing. The thing that will always stick in my mind about him, was the stories and the jokes that he would tell.

R.I.P. Tom

Man, this really sucks. I've known Tom my whole life. I really don't know what to say. It probably won't really hit me until I don't see him standing at the gate this season. He was stern, but that was his job. Before and after the races he would always roll up in the golf cart smiling. I still remember when I got put to the back while leading the heat by a straightaway for not stopping under the red (what would have been my first heat win). I came from the back with a few laps left and still made the transfer, and I had some choice words brewing for the officiating crew. When I went up there to discuss it with him the first thing he did was look at me, laugh, and say, "Boy you sure can drive when you are pissed off. Maybe we should piss you off more often." At the time I didn't appreciate what he had said to me, but after I had thought about it I realized that he was right and I just needed to go out and drive. Thanks Tom. We will really miss him.

RIP Sluggo, The Jennings family.

I'm so sorry to here about Tom, I remember when he raced modified (straight 6 cy) he was always there to help if you needed it. And always had a smile on us face. R.I.P.

The Schwartz family

In retrospect Cheese,

That's the kind of guy he really was. I complained about him a lot recently but now I regret everything I said.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Sanders family. I had the enjoyment of working with Tom as an official in the 80's and he always would say Hi whenever you would see him, no matter where. After Harold passed away he would always ask me if Alice and boys were OK, and if they needed anything let him know. I really appreciated that. He had a Big Heart. Sluggo you will be missed.

Annette Self

Money isn't everything, but it sure keeps your kids 
close!