I met Tom for the first time at the 2017 National in Colorado Springs. I was in charge of the raffles and auctions. Tom came to me early in the show and asked if he could help. Tom came back several times and helped organize into lots and set out raffle items. What a friendly and humble guy I thought. In 2018 I moved to Arizona. Some time later I found Tom at one of the local shows. In recent years I made a point of contacting Tom and met him at most of the Yuma and Mayer shows. The photo was taken at the Utah National in 2023. Tom was my sales table helper. I am left of Tom in the red shirt.

On July 7th of this year, I wrote Tom and asked if he was going to the Montana show. Below is his reply.

Thanks Mike for asking! I would love to be at the Helena show, but I am up here in Juneau Alaska for the season.  Got here May 3rd, will be here through September by reports. We will see if I make it that far, some days I have my doubts about whether I will. Decided to take on a new adventure this spring, and I've had some fantastic experiences up here already.  I'm hoping to have some more.    It rains up here in the Alaska panhandle an awful lot however, well all the time frankly.  A nice day, or part of one, is a pleasant surprise. We will see how I continue to hold up with all of it. 10 Sundays complete, 13 to go.  And I am counting. I hope you have the best time ever in Helena!  I sure would love to attend someday. All the very best Mike!  Tom

I wrote Tom again about a week or two ago to see if I would see him at the Mayer show. He did not respond. I mentioned something about him not replying to a friend at the show. He responded that Tom had passed. I though my friend must have been mistaken. A second friend had more information and when I got home I looked on line and indeed Tom died while hiking a trail in Alaska. I was, and still am in shock. Tom was just a very nice guy, super friendly and an amazing Christian brother. We could relate on many levels. I will miss him, terribly. If anyone knows of a memorial service for Thomas David Casey of Arizona - please let me know.