Tommy Vinson, CPHS Class of 1966, died on December 22, 2006. He was doing some remodeling work on his old home on E. Hardin Avenue in College Park, GA, and was the victim of a robbery.
Can't pass your house, Tommy, without seeing you out front waving, wearing that big grin of yours. The way I will always remember you. The house still looks beautiful.
Tommy and I developed a common interest in cars and that developed into a friendship that lasted all through high school. We went to Fairburn Drag Strip almost every Friday night during the early 60's until I went off to college. Worked on ours and other friends cars and just generally hung out(sometimes at Shoney's). Eventually, losing touch over the years, with marriage and children. He was such a perfectionist when it came to the cars he restored. I will always remember him with fondness.
Tommy was a dear friend of mine. I willl never forget the drag racing, Atlanta and Daytona 500's along with his dad Mr. V. We spent many hours working on '55, '56 and '57 Chevys, hot rods and motorcycles along with Charles Burcher, Forbes Matthews and the late John W ebb. Charles and I often take a minute and remember Tommy in our conversations about the '60's and '70s. Long live his memory.
Knew Tommy thru our love for mid 50s Chevys and both of us having 442s. Then thru our working at the Delta Jet Base. His passing was just sad and senseless. RIP good friend.
Tommy was a special guy. He never met a stranger,was a perfectionist in everyway,loved to laugh and joke around,reminisce the "ol days", socialize, and most of all work on our old cars. We spent many hours in his garage, and in my garage, and in a mutual friend's garage. We turned out some pretty nice pieces over the years. We travelled literally thousands of miles to car events over a period of 30+ years. We shared other interests too,... political,spiritual,historical topics where we sometimes got a little excited about our respective position. I am proud to have been his friend for a long time and to have shared our journey through life until his murder. Tommy's death was senseless in everyway. He was loved and respected by many as witnessed by the 500+ people turnout for his visitation. He had a positive impact on many people in many ways. I miss his presence everyday.
Tommy was my "best bud" at S.R. Young Elementary. He made me laugh constantly. One of my best memories in the 7th grade involved our school being chosen to square dance at Lennox Square. Tommy was my partner and we tried not to crack up while we were "allemanding" and "do-si-doing." I can't believe he is gone. His precious wife and family meant the world to him and vice-versa. I was able to meet up with Tommy and his wife in 1999 when I flew from Phoenix back to College Park. HE HAD NOT CHANGED! The way that he was killed was the most heartless, cowardly, despicable, and unthinkable act anyone could imagine. After his death, I was able to get back in contact with his precious wife. She would update me on the court trials of his two assailants. They were both found guilty. If there are any saints in heaven...Tommy is there wearing his wings proudly...but he would much rather ride in a '57 Chevy! Love, Mary Jo
Tommy was a friend and roommate of mine at Georgia Southwestern U for a couple of quarters. His easy nature won him lots of friends. We messed around a lot togeather, didn't he have a GTO? I will always remember him sitting on the hood of that car smiling!
A sad passing of a dear friend! I spent years working with Tommy at Kroger in Tri-City Plaza, sharing many good times and laughs. What a blessing to have known you Tommy! Dallas Rodgers
Robert (Bob) Rogers (1966)
Can't pass your house, Tommy, without seeing you out front waving, wearing that big grin of yours. The way I will always remember you. The house still looks beautiful.
Bob
Charles Burcher (1964)
Tommy and I developed a common interest in cars and that developed into a friendship that lasted all through high school. We went to Fairburn Drag Strip almost every Friday night during the early 60's until I went off to college. Worked on ours and other friends cars and just generally hung out(sometimes at Shoney's). Eventually, losing touch over the years, with marriage and children. He was such a perfectionist when it came to the cars he restored. I will always remember him with fondness.
Charles Burcher
Randal (Randy) Jones (1965)
Tommy was a dear friend of mine. I willl never forget the drag racing, Atlanta and Daytona 500's along with his dad Mr. V. We spent many hours working on '55, '56 and '57 Chevys, hot rods and motorcycles along with Charles Burcher, Forbes Matthews and the late John W ebb. Charles and I often take a minute and remember Tommy in our conversations about the '60's and '70s. Long live his memory.
Randy
Hugh Preston (1966)
Knew Tommy thru our love for mid 50s Chevys and both of us having 442s. Then thru our working at the Delta Jet Base. His passing was just sad and senseless. RIP good friend.
Joel Price (1965)
Tommy was a special guy. He never met a stranger,was a perfectionist in everyway,loved to laugh and joke around,reminisce the "ol days", socialize, and most of all work on our old cars. We spent many hours in his garage, and in my garage, and in a mutual friend's garage. We turned out some pretty nice pieces over the years. We travelled literally thousands of miles to car events over a period of 30+ years. We shared other interests too,... political,spiritual,historical topics where we sometimes got a little excited about our respective position. I am proud to have been his friend for a long time and to have shared our journey through life until his murder. Tommy's death was senseless in everyway. He was loved and respected by many as witnessed by the 500+ people turnout for his visitation. He had a positive impact on many people in many ways. I miss his presence everyday.
Mary Jo Hall (West) (1966)
Tommy was my "best bud" at S.R. Young Elementary. He made me laugh constantly. One of my best memories in the 7th grade involved our school being chosen to square dance at Lennox Square. Tommy was my partner and we tried not to crack up while we were "allemanding" and "do-si-doing." I can't believe he is gone. His precious wife and family meant the world to him and vice-versa. I was able to meet up with Tommy and his wife in 1999 when I flew from Phoenix back to College Park. HE HAD NOT CHANGED! The way that he was killed was the most heartless, cowardly, despicable, and unthinkable act anyone could imagine. After his death, I was able to get back in contact with his precious wife. She would update me on the court trials of his two assailants. They were both found guilty. If there are any saints in heaven...Tommy is there wearing his wings proudly...but he would much rather ride in a '57 Chevy! Love, Mary Jo
John (Randy) Phillips (1967)
Tommy was a friend and roommate of mine at Georgia Southwestern U for a couple of quarters. His easy nature won him lots of friends. We messed around a lot togeather, didn't he have a GTO? I will always remember him sitting on the hood of that car smiling!
Randy Phillips
Dallas Rodgers (1966)
A sad passing of a dear friend! I spent years working with Tommy at Kroger in Tri-City Plaza, sharing many good times and laughs. What a blessing to have known you Tommy! Dallas Rodgers