All of the great grandkids ❤️ We will miss you forever. We love you grandpa!

 My favorite memories of him are the times we got him to laugh. He always sat quietly, observing us with his infamous toothpick in his mouth. If we could get him laughing, that was the best. His whole face would light up and he would get a sparkle in his eyes. I am sad that I will not be able to attend his service today. He was a great man, leader and mentor, and he will be greatly missed. Hugs to his family and all Armwood JROTC alumni. 

Unfortunately this is the only photo I have of CSM Tomlin. It is from a Memorial Day Service in 1996,  where I performed Taps. My favorite memories of him are the times we got him to laugh. He always sat quietly, observing us with his infamous toothpick in his mouth. If we could get him laughing, that was the best. His whole face would light up and he would get a sparkle in his eyes. I am sad that I will not be able to attend his service today. He was a great man, leader and mentor, and he will be greatly missed. Hugs to his family and all Armwood JROTC alumni. 

As a cadet at Brandon High School in the 1980s I vividly remember CSM Tomlin frequently visiting our beloved instructor SGM Jack White. They were comrades in that first class of Green Berets in 1952 and served together in Special Forces for many years afterwards to include Vietnam. As a young man they were my heroes and influential in my decision to serve my country in uniform.  Fast forward 30 years and I'm back at Brandon HS JROTC as the Senior Army Instructor. Three decades later and I find that CSM Tomlin is still serving and mentoring the cadets of Hillsborough County despite his retirement many years earlier. It was my great honor to eat lunch with him at our monthly instructors' luncheon; to sit down with my childhood hero as a fellow instructor and soldier was humbling indeed. In 2019, it was the Eagle Battalion's privilege to honor CSM Tomlin as Reviewing Officer at our annual Veterans Day Parade. I will cherish that day for the rest of my life. Farewell my friend and hero.

CSM Tomlin was one of my favorite teachers from high school. I loved to hang out after school and during the summer and listen to his old war stories. I don't think I would have been ready for basic training let alone the the Army if it wasn't for his teaching and wisdom. Never saw him without a toothpick in his mouth atleast I never wanted to, heard some stories of what happened if he had to remove that toothpick, just glad I never saw that happen.

CSM Tomlin always supported our US Army JROTC Cadets at Strawberry Crest High School.  He willingly shared his knowledge and experience with the cadets.  He routinely recognized their accomplishments at the end of year award ceremony.   Thank you CSM Tomlin for your dedicated military service to your country and subsequent service and support to your community.  Rest in Peace.

Sargent major was the absolute best jrotc teacher he was loved by so many he will truly be missed my thoughts and prayers for the family on this tragic loss. God bless you all.  RIP Sargent Major 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸Thank you for your service 

This man and his guidance shaped my entire adult life. Listening to his stories in JROTC was a huge reason why I just spent 21 years in the Army as a Green Beret. RIP my friend. The world is a lesser place without you. 

We all Love you Sgt Major. Can't thank you enough for the way you impacted my Military Carrer and my life. Every time I look back at my Time at Armwood JROTC is the first thing that comes to me. You helped shape everything I am today. Heaven has a special place for you for all the lives you have touched. You will always be remembered and your lessons never forgotten. Bless you and your family for sharing you with us. - Joey Lemieux C/O 98 and James Lemieux C/O 86

To our beloved CSM Tomlin, the man who always had a toothpick handy or in his mouth, the man who made me do public speaking and the one who always teased me for being Polish!   I will cherish my time at AHS JROTC Hawk Battalion, you were a mentor, a father figure to some, our jolly man, taught us to shoot, range safety and how to cherish your best friends for life. I will never forget my Senior year when he finally shared about his cuff bracelet, he never took off and the story of his dear friend that he held in his last breaths, I like to believe he had friends and loved ones holding him in his! I will keep a toothpick handy for you Sir! 

Thinking of you, Ann.  So enjoyed getting to spend time alone with the two of you at the last meeting.  You were there such a short time, but I treasure that time.

Ginny Billingsley


CSM Tomlin played a pivotal role in my life. One of the only people in my formative years to tell me no about anything. I really “hated” him for that at first but grew to love him like a father.  He never let me get away with anything and somehow always found out about all my nonsense. I was running head long into self destruction but he would have none of that. 
Thank you CSM Tomlin I don’t know where I would be now if not for your love and direction in my live when I needed it most. 
Susan Tate Cravens C/O 1987

OBITUARY

Thomas Tomlin

4 August, 1936 – 20 March, 2022

Stowers Funeral Home

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