Birth date: Jan 16, 1942 Death date: May 1, 2022
Big Rapids - Thomas Gordon Mehl, 80, of Big Rapids, passed away unexpectedly May 1, 2022, of natural causes, after a life full of love, joy, warmth, humor, music, adventure, curiosity, dedication, creativity and compassion. He wa Read Obituary
Tom and I were good friends at General Electric in 1968, and for several years in Pittsfield, MA. We agonized over British cars and the state of advertising. He had a marvelous sense of humor. We talked occasionally over the years, but far too infrequently.
Tom and I started Mrs Miller's Kindergarten at the same time at Third Ward Elementary/ We were the best of friends through the seventh grade in Mr Longs' High School Band classes. Following that year my dad was transferred to Atlanta. The last tim
I love you, my dearest friend.
When I was in junior high at BRHS, Tom's improvising on trombone inspired my own improvising on trumpet. (Class of 1965)
It fills me with tremendous sadness to learn of your exit from our lives. Your appreciation of the little things in life: wildlife, laughter, wit, song, melody, beauty, nuance, the company we keep, breaking bread, and mastery of specialty words were all
I never saw Tom without a smile. We shared a love for Stan Freberg, an advertising man
?turned? comedian and we could always find a connection from that to the world and to teaching and learning. He will be missed by his colleagues and his students.
I was Tom's girlfriend from 1986 to 1990. I've lived in Colorado for the past 29 years, which is the last time Tom and I saw each other (1993).
Apologies for the excessive length of this note....I'm not going to be able to make it back to Michigan for
Tom possessed a quality shared by very few. He had the ability to instill in others a sense of being "special." He welcomed everyone with a smile and pleasant conversation. I always enjoyed seeing Tom on the campus.
My conversations with Tom were always about music. That sometimes even included his brother, Jim (RIP), who was a wonderful jazz trombonist/soloist. Tom was extremely passionate and knowledgeable about music, especially jazz. I really enjoyed those int
Every one who knew Tom came away enlightened, entertained and joyful. He and I sat next to each other for four years in the trombone section of BRHS. And we did a humorous skit together in Band Follies. Only last August he and I had a great conversatio
