This note is from Barbara Williams..... I had a card with a very sad message from Mary Ann Larkin, as she told me that Tom had passed away on January 18, 2005... I hadn't heard before and didn't have any idea.. I am truly deeply saddened to learn that such a Dearly Loved and Wonderful Shepherd Man has left us..Mary Ann said she just couldn't talk about it for a long time..I UNDERSTAND!!! I cannot recall a single person who ever said an unkind word about Tom or anyone who didn't like him... He was that rare human being who made everyone feel better by just appearing!! That warm smile and kind, gentle manner . He was an awesome Handler of German Shepherds and was the exclusive Handler for Marion Darling's Von Darion Kennels...handling her Ch. Fant von Wikingerblut on into Fame ...among many other West Coast Famous Ones... He was also fascinated with the breeding of Birds...Mainly Pigeons where he achieved Immortality among the Fanciers.with his Homing breds. He was that rare handsome figure, 6 foot 5 inches and yet very graceful in the ring with a wonderful hand with the dogs..My Shepherd World of the Glory Days of the Breed, has had many of it's Brightest Stars pass away... ..BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN... I plan to do a Memorial page in the Review for Tom...MaryAnn said she would really be pleased to have one for him and she knows he would be smiling about 'all that fuss over him'....... Anyone interested in having their names appear, please let me know... Barbara Lee Williams viv Vivian Brown Santa Ana, CA ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2005. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://www.showgsd.org ============================================================================