Hey... it's me, Cas. I hope you can read this from heaven, and we all still love you in our hearts. You'll never be forgotten.

I have just learned of Tom's passing. I want to send my condolences to Dotty and family. It was Tom that encouraged me at the start of my career. Following his advise I jumped from being a disc jockey to news and never looked back  It led me to stops at WAAM, WSDS, WBUK and WKZO...ultimately to the building and operating of WMLM. Being an owner operator with a news reporters mind set is never easy...I don't know how many times I would ask myself...what would Tom do in this situation. My best to Dotty and family.

Grer Siefker
St. Louis, Michigan

It's 6 months ago today we laid you to rest, it's quite hard to believe. I feel your loving presents quite often, and I know your with us 24x7. 

It's a blessing you and mom gave us kids; to BELIEVE in HIM. With out that, I can't imagine what life would be like. Believing lets me know your ok, up in Heaven, teachign all the rookies how to play football! 

Please keep an eye on Mama, she is coming along slowly and misses you terribly (as do we all, which you know). 

All my love, 
Gratefully, 
Your favorite 'baby daughter' :)

Hay buddy, sure do miss your physical presents.. at the same time, I know your with us all. I'm doing what I absolutely love; working at the funeral home helping people everyday, like they helped us. You'd be proud :) 

Love you more! 
Your favorite daughter <3

Our Dear Pa not all the words in the world could describe our feelings of loss & sadness that we won't & don't have you here in the physical sense to sit with, watch sports, have your eyes light up every time You would see us, & especially your warm hug's, nothing like having a parents arms wrapped around without speaking a word we knew everything was going to be alright!!! Pa thanks for everything you say, did, & your unconditional love You gave all 6 of kids, & your deep devoted love for Ma ~~~ You will always be with me in my heart & soul & I will always feel I have a very special angel watching over us!!!! Thanks Pa for being YOU ~~~ I LOVE YOU PA ~~~ ONE~LOVEJ.C.

It's going to be hard without you here bumps. We all miss you alot. Makes me proud to be able to tell everyone what you did and that your my grandpa. I love and miss you

Tom was always willing to help new people with media issues and gave great advice. But, he also did his job. My one and only time on Off the Record he started the questioning with a topic that I was not expecting. I remember nothing else about the program. I did fine and he was right to ask the question. He didn't cut anyone slack and that's why we loved and respected him.

We will miss u uncle tom.prayers and love to my family.

My dear family,

Words cannot begin to express how sorry I am about the loss of Uncle Tom.  I feel very blessed to have so many fond memories and will cherish them forever:  the many, many sleepovers my sister and I had on the farm; sneaking downstairs with Collette and Sarah to get Hostess Pies and Pepsi from the kitchen hoping he didn't hear us from his chair in the TV room; horsing around with his dog Mr. Magoo, who was bigger than I was!;  his big smile and even bigger laugh;  playing with his old fashioned shaving soap and brush set; and of course, the biggest, most tickly moustache I have ever known.  Uncle Tom, you will never be forgotten.

May the peace which comes from the memories of love shared, comfort you now and in the days ahead.

Dear Pratt Family,
My memories of Pa go back to 76 when I first met him and Ma. They were great people; Ma made sure to buy me a corsage for Prom.

After Gary and I got married we worked for Bill and Shirley Brittain; we were caretakers of Mahogany Farms. They always had WJR playing on the radio. I listened to it every day while I ironed and cleaned. All of a sudden, "Tom Greene" came on the radio and I about died. I ran to Mrs. Brittain and said, "I know Tom Greene!" She didn't believe me. I said, "His name is Tom Pratt. He lives in the same subdivision as Percy Alverson, but I do think they moved to the Runciman Farm south of Williamston." They finally believed me. You see, the Brittains were friends with three governors; Williams, Romney and Milliken. I guess they figured how could a Joe Blow cleaning lady know him--an important person like Tom Greene? The Pratts were also blessed to have a place to stay beside the governor's mansion on Mackinac Island.


The day I got to watch Tom interview President Ford will last with me forever; he was the closest person we've ever known to come that close and talk to two presidents (including Reagan). 

I was also blessed when my husband became "BFFs" ("Biffs") with Johnny. We got to be with Pa, Ma and the Family again for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. Sarah's most memorable moment of Pa was at our first Thanksgiving together. Someone make Buckeyes and Pa was NOT supposed to eat those. But he snuck one off the table anyway and when Ma caught him, whoo boy. She looked right at him and said, "You know you're not supposed to eat those." Pa just sort of looked at her with a smile that said, "Ha ha. I know, but can you blame me?"

Thank you, Pa, for your juicy wet kisses, your eyes and your laugh. Your love, Pa, was the best. We will see and meet you in Heaven. 

To close, in Pa's voice:
"We welcome you to Heaven and this is Tom Greene signing off!"

 Love,
Rene', Gary and Sarah

Tom helped me navigate the press when I went through a rough patch.  It is very true that you never know who your friends are when a crisis hits.  I did not know until he offered to help me what a wonderful and principled man Tom "Greene" was and how much he loved and adored his family.  

Judy Augenstein, GL

My father former state representative Loren D Anderson considered Tom to be a trusted friend.  Our family is deeply saddened by Tom's passing.  I am sure that somewhere in heaven  Tom and my dad are talking politics.

Dear Family and Friends of Tom,

So many people across the state of Michigan knew Tom Greene as a rough and ready, take-no-prisoners hard news investigative reporter. He was not impressed with the rich and powerful, who often were the subjects of his stories, and when necessary, targets of his investigations. Tom was more concerned with the little people, his "friends in low places" who invited him into their homes every evening on TV. They knew Tom was their watchdog at the state capitol. He was proud of it.

It comes as no surprise to you, the Pratt family, that behind the scenes he constantly talked about you, by name, the many things you were doing that made him proud, and how much he loved you. I was always taken by the contrast of the public image of Tom Greene and the private Tom Pratt that you knew and loved and wished that more of his viewers could have known him personally.

Only someone who cared about people the way he did could create that invisible connection he had with his viewers and listeners. It's a rare quality possessed by only the most skilled communicators.

I came in contact with Tom twice in our media careers. The second time was in the 1990's. He was out of TV by then but was still eager to be in the middle of the scene he knew so well, and WJR needed a voice at the capitol. How lucky we were to get Tom on the 760 airwaves again. I am so happy that it gave Tom another opportunity to do what he loved.

The first time, however, was in the early 70's. I was a kid radio newsman at the former WJBK radio, sharing the same building with TV2. Tom Greene was in his heyday, the Mike Wallace of Michigan. Quite a number of times I had occasion to answer the phone with Tom on the other end. No one was ever nicer and more courteous to the less important staffers such as myself. Talking with Tom gave me, one of those "in low places" a feeling of importance and belonging. I remembered it later as roles were reversed. He was a wonderful example of the golden rule.

Tom was an unforgettable character in our business, a true original.

I want to thank every member of the family for sharing him with all of us.
Most of all I want to thank you, Tom. You are truly a Great Voice Of The Great Lakes. How fortunate we are that you came our way.

Love,

Dick Haefner
News Director
WJR, Detroit

Sarah and Family....I'm so sorry for your loss.  I have enjoyed reading about your dear Bumpa and sharing a little piece of what made him so special.  His legacy lives on through those whose lives he touched.  May God's peace surround and comfort you.

Tom was "Coach Pratt" to me and my St. Casimir pals in the late 1950s. He taught us how to play football and basketball, and how to run track. Mostly though, he taught us about ourselves and how to take on the challenges that life would be bringing us. He was a great guy for all of us back then, and I am lucky to have known him and grateful for all he did for me. Coach Pratt, may you rest in peace, and thank you.

Dotty & Family,   It is always a shock to see an old friend and neighbor has passed.  I always thought of Tom as one of the good guys that I had the opportunity to  know when we worked in Lansing.  With our deepest sympathy.
Dick & Lenore Pastula

Thoughts & prayers to your family Tom.  I shall cherish the memories of meeting you thru brother John when I worked at the Court of Appeals and your fabulous sense of humor.  God Bless!!

Thank you, Uncle Tom, for all of the great laughs when I was growing up! You will be missed dearly.

Even when we think we are all grown up, and we believe we are prepared fpr anything.  We find out very quickly we are just merely our parents little people.
One thing we can never be ready or prepared for is our parents passing.
It never ceases to surprise us and take the breathe out of us as a blow to the gut. We are stopped in our tracks with fear and loss when faced with the death of a parent. No matter if we are 8 or 80 or anywhere in-between. The feeling is still the same, I remember thinking , OH NO! What do I do now?  I miss my dad, who passed away many years ago.
God must have known I was lost without him, and sent me a another.
Pa, I looked to you as my dear sweet pa.
You always made me feel like one of your own. I am so Grateful. Thank You.
You and may have always treated my children and I as if we belonged to your family.
Brooke, Bradley and I will never forget you. You are, and always will be, a Great Man and Father , and Friend.
                                 I am forever Eternally Grateful for you. Karen (Tom Pratts girl)

You will be missed terribly you big teddy bear! If it wasn't for you bringing out your big rifle the day you met Jim, I may not have married him. You told him you weren't letting him get away, like the others did. Scared him so, we married a couple months later. Thank you for being a great brother in law.

Tom was my basketball coach at St Mary's 50 years ago. I have never forgotten how he went out of his way to praise every kid on the team and point out each person's specific contribution after every game - win or lose.  We lost a lot of them that year but still felt like champs because of the way Tom treated us.

So sorry for your loss. Tom was a legend around Williamston and the state.

Tom had a huge influence on my life. As a young reporter he was my mentor. Much of the success I later enjoyed as a reporter was the direct result of what I learned from Tom.
He was also my big brother, someone who took an 18-year-old kid and introduced him to the world. We laughed, we fought, we worked and we relished life together for many years. I will miss Tom nearly as much as his family.

I will never forget our hospital waiting room night waiting for Collette to arrive. Rest in piece. Please hug my Tay Tay for me.

To our Bumpa, 

"YOU ARE OUR SUNSHINE, OUR ONLY SUNSHINE. YOU MAKE US HAPPY, WHEN SKIES ARE GREY. YOU'LL NEVER KNOW DEAR, HOW MUCH WE LOVE YOU, PLEASE DON'T TAKE OUR SUNSHINE AWAY" 

Rest in peace Papa, see you at the BIG HOUSE ~

I'm sorry for your loss. I pray for the peace of god will be with you all.
Love ,
Joy

OBITUARIO

Thomas "Bumpa" Edwin Pratt Jr.

11 julio, 1936 – 6 julio, 2012

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes

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