Tommy, We had quite a day in your honor yesterday (October 13) nice memorial with lots of people.   I hope you are doing well in your new surroundings.  I just want to say thankyou for all the nice things you did for me and the baseball team when we were together, and to let you know how much we all miss you.   I am so happy I stopped by the ball park that night and was able to give you a ride home, I really enjoyed our conversation.   A brave man may not live forever, but a cautious man doesn't live at hall, you were brave...sleep peacefully my good buddy, I'll see down the road.

I  first met Tom in the 70s at Municipal Park when I umpired in the City League.  Many good evenings were spent with Tom at Dags!  His friendliness and great spirit were his trademark.  Like others who have written here, his interest in my family and our mutual friends was so real and genuine that he made you feel so good.  Always asking about others and how they were doing.  A great loss!

  I have known Tommy for years and mostly from Dagwood's where he spent a lot of his time after football, basketball, hockey games. This was one faithful individual for MSU and his knowledge of sports was remarkable. My sincere condolences for this man.

Tommy and my late husband, Lenny, worked together at the MSU Grounds Dept. for many years.  I always enjoyed seeing Tommy's smiling face at the many social events at Grounds and at MSU hockey games.  He was a true Spartan and a good man.

When Tom was an East Lansing High School student he served as a manager of the basketball teams while I was the ELHS coach.  He performed his managerial duties conscientiously and loyally.

During the ensuing years I cherished the opportunities to visit with him at many MSU athletic events.  In recent years I enjoyed seeing him every Monday night during the Spartan basketball season at the Tom Izzo radio show accompanied by Hank Bullough.  Tom was a true Trojan and Spartan fan, who possessed athletic acumen.

I worked with Tom at MSU and knew him as a friendly and caring person who probably had his priorities better ordered than more than a few of us. His ability to recall sports trivia and records was remarkable, and he similarly remembered the smallest details that I would share with him about my family.Whenever we would talk, he would always show an interest in them by asking for updates. More than ever, the Spartans are destined for success with Tom rooting for them from the luxury of his new box seat!

Tom was my neighbor on Marshall St. from 1948 until they moved. We used to play basketball on his driveway. May he rest in peace. Don Baron

Tom was a classmate of my sister at East Lansing High School, Class of '54.   Whenever I ran into him, he always asked about her.  I was always glad to see him and be greeted with his strong handshake.

Tommy was a friend of our family since the early '80's. If we needed the answer to a sport question we would call Tommy.His knowledge  of the game was legendary. He gave great hugs and always wanted to know how we were doing. He was a part of all our family events from birthdays to graduations. His love for MSU sports is well known and we all attended home football games and several memorable trips down to South Bend.Tommy was a good man ,humble and kind who remains a part of our family memories. Tommy,you left some big footprints behind and your time on earth was well spent. We know you are at peace and everyone is wearing green and white. Chuck and Christine,East Lansing,Mi

Tommy was my friend as well as one of our biggest fans at the ball park. He was at almost every game we played over the last 15 years. Tommy truely loved the game and will be missed by all of the players, coaches and fans. I will think of Tommy everytime I am at the ball park.
Kevin Michaels (Black Sox)

I am saddened to hear of Tom's death.  He was a friend to many whose first words, following his big hug, were always inquiries about others' lives and how they were doing.  He will be remembered fondly and I will never enter Municipal Park without noticing his absense, as will countless others.

OBITUARY

Thomas Searl

February 18, 1936 – September 16, 2010

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes

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