Mr. Thomas Sharpe Charlton

February 26, 1922 - March 4, 2008

Born in Upper Woodburn - County Antrim, Northern Ireland to Robert Charlton and Isabella Sharpe, the only son in a family of six children. Thomas is predeceased by four sisters: Martha (Meta) Bingham, Minnie Adrain, Teresa (Tess) Vivash and Jeanie (Jean) Wedlake.

Thomas is survived by his sister Rubina (Ruby) Parkes. His sons: Terence (Lynn) and Michael. His daughters: Margaret (Sammy) Parker and Heather (Frankie) Jones. His Step-Daughters: Carol (Gary) Graber, Colleen (David) MacLeod and Christine Curtiss. Thomas is also survived by fifteen grandchildren, nine great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. Thomas will be sorely missed by many who loved him well.

Thomas Charlton was a friendly, energetic man who was known for his charm, wit and straightforward approach to every day life. Growing up in a devout Presbyterian family with four sisters, the youngest child and only boy in the family, Thomas was naturally somewhat spoiled in his earliest years.

As a young man Thomas joined the RAF {Royal Air Force}, married and then served in North Africa during World War II. After leaving the Service Thomas returned to Ireland and started a family which yielded two beautiful daughters and a handsome son.

Thomas had a real talent for mechanics and before long his passion for motorcycles led him to open his first of two motorcycle shops. After several years in the business and desiring a greater challenge, he decided to give competitive motorcycle racing a whirl. He would soon become a works rider for Ducati, the famous Italian Company that makes fast racing motorcycles and bicycles. For several years he would tour and race extensively throughout Ireland and even as far as The Isle of Mann.

In 1964 Thomas decided to move to Canada and begin a new life there. He would work as a taxi cab driver a parts salesman and would eventually try his hand at several different business ventures. He would also marry for a second time taking on a ready made family of three step-daughters: Carol, Colleen and Christine. Carol would soon marry and the rest of Tom's new family would move to the village of Cumberland on Northern Vancouver Island where in time his son Terry would join him and a new son Michael would be born into the family.

In 1971 Thomas moved back to Vancouver and took a job driving truck for Johnson's Terminals, where he worked until his retirement in 1987. However, Tom was not quite ready to retire just yet. Five or so years earlier he had developed a keen interest in raising cattle and yearned to get back to the farm life that formed his youth in Ireland. So instead of taking it easy he worked very hard toward establishing his own herd of Polled Herefords. Thus was born his most successful enterprise The BAR-D (Bard). In the twenty years that would follow Thomas became highly respected in the cattle business, traveling North America extensively, as he continued to develop his breeding expertise. Working with his animals was Tom's number one passion and he would pursue it until the very end of his life. On March 4, 2008 while out in the fields of the farm he loved, helping one of his cows deliver a calf Thomas suffered a massive heart attack and passed away. Family and friends were shocked but most have taken comfort in knowing that Tom didn't suffer much and that he passed away doing what he loved most.

Thomas had many other passions as well. Aside from watching the odd episode of Star Trek or a good old hockey game {he never cheered for his home town Canucks} Tom had little use for television. Rather he was a voracious reader, devouring books by the bushel. Thomas was a true student of the Bard; one of a caste of poets and scholars of medieval and early modern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Shakespeare was the most famous of Bards. It was no coincidence that he called his cattle business The Bar-D. Some of his favorite modern authors were John Grisham, Tom Clancy and James Harriet. Thomas also had a way with pen & quill and in fact some years ago, fancying himself a budding author wrote and published his own book “Just a Yarnin With The Bard” an illustrated collection of funny shorts written of course in the style of the Bard.

Thomas also had a special love for babies and didn't seem to mind at all helping out with the feedings, the burping and even changing those nasty diapers. If Tom entered a room and there was a newborn baby present he would usually be cuddling it within five minutes or so. He truly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and as they grew older he was more than happy to introduce them to farm life and if they sought his sage advice he would offer his unique words of wisdom. The kids all had a special love for Grandpa Tom.

Thomas liked playing Solitaire and Hearts but he was really passionate about the game of cribbage and spent literally hundreds of hours playing with family members and friends who also enjoyed the game as well as the priceless conversations that ensued as the games were played. Those who enjoyed passing the hours with Tom playing the game he loved most will not soon forget his many priceless quips: "Fifteen two fifteen four and the rest don't score," "I've got a hand like a foot," "it's my turn to cheat," "we should be playing losers crib," and of course after hinting he had a lousy hand he would look you square in the eyes and say "you know I tell lies." Thomas always looked forward to the ultimate crib championship game.

Thomas also loved a good home cooked meal. He wasn't fussy about turkey and he definitely didn't like cheese or chocolate cake. His favorite meal was an oven roasted ham ( he loved the fat ) with lots of veggies and of course apple crumble for desert.

Those who knew and loved Tomas will undoubtedly miss him greatly but will surely take comfort in the unique way he touched their lives. Happy trails to you Tom, until we meet again.

Arrangements under the direction of Henderson's Langley Funeral Home in Langley, BC.