Tom Ferry (Old Has Been) Has Passed

rukiddingme said:
My sincere condolences to Tom's family.
I would like to suggest that maybe the AZB DCC Room be permanently named in his honor. "The Tom Ferry AZB Billiard Room or the Old Has Been Billiard Lounge. It seems to me that that would be the right thing to do.
ruk
Click to expand...


I think that is an awesome idea, what about everyone else?
 
My condolences go out to his family and friends. Some of the best posts on AZ were his. He, and his stories, will be missed.
 
Never met him, but his posts were always a good read. My condolences to the family.

This is yet another moment when you realize that life really is fragile and too short.
 
To the family and friends of Tom Ferry,

I knew him only as OHB. Tom was kind enough to ask for advice and information on players from time to time. We corresponded mainly through private messages on this board. I learned from Tom we had a mutual friend, Larry Hubbart. Tom also returned timely advice. I can only wish I had the honor to have met him. My deepest condolences.

Lyn
 
RIP Tom Ferry

I never knew Tom personally in life, but admired his wisdom and enjoyed his stories on here. Right before the DCC I PM'ed him about matching up. Here is the PM:

Quote:
Originally Posted by crow
Hiya Tom,
My name is Kevin Tomlin and I from Ohio, I was wondering if you might be interested in playing some nineball at the Derby? I am not a champion, just a solid player, no hustling here just trying to match up. You can get a line on me if you'd like. I am not trying to be a a$$, so if you are not interested that's cool.
If not I would like to meet you regardless.
Thanks,
Kevin Tomlin


Kevin - I am never offended by someone wanting to play. The problem though is that I think my 9-Ball days are over. Just too much damn energy expecially compared to One Pocket. If I do play 9-Ball, it would have to be just a short race & bet it all on the one race. Do you play One Pocket? I can play that for 3 or 4 hours, no problem. Looking forward to meeting you also - Tom

I never did get to meet him. I regret that. As you see he was VERY polite, which in the pool world is a quality under-used sometimes.

My condolences to his family.

Kevin Tomlin AKA Crow
 
Living in Europe, I've never had the chance to meet him, but some of his tales made me love the game even more.
My condolences to his family.
tom
 
Tom Ferry

I've been trying to think of something profound to say since this sad incident has occured, but I can't exactly put it into words. I can say that not only the pool community, but the entire community as a whole lost a great person in Tom Ferry. He was a great ambassador to our sport, and the pool community will never be the same without him. I can say he seemed to be at peace, as I sat down and talked with him at the Midwest 9-Ball Tournament last month at the Break. He said he was right with the Lord, and he was ready whenever it was his time. He also highly complemented Lars Vardaman, Justin Bergman, and myself for dedicating ourselves to the game, and excelling at it, but even more for keeping our priorities straight. I was flattered by his complement. Attached below is a picture of Terry Hile, myself, Tom, and Boone Wagner from when Tom beat me to win the Missouri State 9-Ball Championship in 2005, and also a pic of Tom keeping me racking in the finals. At the time, I was mad at myself for not winning the tournament, but looking back, there is nobody else I would rather have lost to in the finals. He was as happy as I ever saw him.

Sincerely,



Chuck Raulston

DSC_3122.jpg

DSC_3114.jpg
 
I'd wager that I'm not the only person who thinks it is extremely cool that an old road hustler like Tom, who always wanted to stay under the radar and out of the tournament limelight, would decide later in life to take that tournament challenge. And, then to snap off the tournament! Tap, tap, Tom. Rest with God.
 
My heart goes out to the family of Tom's. He was one of my favorite posters as he always had a road story to throw out there, or an angle from someone who has "been there and done that", and he had been there and he had done that.;) lol
I had the priveledge of working with Tom on the DCC banner over the phone as well as via emails. He was not only very professional, he was very polite, respected my input and it was a pleasure working with him.
He will be missed.
Todd
 
How strong was that for Tom to snap off the STATE 9 Ball championship.....TWICE. I wish I could have seen him play. As we all know, he must have been quite good.

I know and sympathize for what Tom's family is going through. My mother passed away in 2001 from terminal cancer and it was tough seeing her go through that. I'm glad to hear Tom was right with the Lord, and I believe with all of my heart that he is in paradise now. That doesn't make it easier for those loved ones left without him, but it does allow for some peace of mind. Tom definitely touched a lot of people on this board and in all aspects of his life, as I'm sure we all know or suspect.

Rest in peace "OldHasBeen". Quite a modestly selected screen name for someone who was definitely NOT a "Has Been".
 
Chuck Raulston said:
I've been trying to think of something profound to say since this sad incident has occured, but I can't exactly put it into words. I can say that not only the pool community, but the entire community as a whole lost a great person in Tom Ferry. He was a great ambassador to our sport, and the pool community will never be the same without him. I can say he seemed to be at peace, as I sat down and talked with him at the Midwest 9-Ball Tournament last month at the Break. He said he was right with the Lord, and he was ready whenever it was his time. He also highly complemented Lars Vardaman, Justin Bergman, and myself for dedicating ourselves to the game, and excelling at it, but even more for keeping our priorities straight. I was flattered by his complement. Attached below is a picture of Terry Hile, myself, Tom, and Boone Wagner from when Tom beat me to win the Missouri State 9-Ball Championship in 2005, and also a pic of Tom keeping me racking in the finals. At the time, I was mad at myself for not winning the tournament, but looking back, there is nobody else I would rather have lost to in the finals. He was as happy as I ever saw him.

Sincerely,



Chuck Raulston

View attachment 17988

View attachment 17989
Click to expand...

Mr. Raulston,
Would you be willing to post larger sized copies of these photos?
Thanks!
Matt
 
Smorgass Bored said:
I'm sorry and I'll think twice in the future before posting anything on AzB. I hope that the people that I offended will forgive me.
Doug
Click to expand...
I saw it before you deleted it. FWIW, I did not think you wrote it with any disrespect in mind, but rather as a coping technique. Of course I have read a lot more of your posts than those that Tom left behind. I have to say, it took a big man to write this apology and I respect that.

Tracy
 
Pictures

I am not exactly sure how to blow the pictures up. I will post these, and some more from that tournament if someone will tell me how to expand the image on AZ.

Thanks,


Chuck Raulston
 
Matt_24 said:
How strong was that for Tom to snap off the STATE 9 Ball championship.....TWICE. I wish I could have seen him play. As we all know, he must have been quite good.
Click to expand...
I never got to see Tom play in his 'prime' in the late 70's or early 80's but have been told by at least two credible sources here in St Louis that Tom played the 8 under Louie. Of course, most of the time when he was hustling he never showed the speed of more than a B player.
 
He was a great guy with a great and loving heart, he will be missed by all.

Peace be with you Mrs. Ferry, Katie, and Tommy, GOD Bless you all.

Tom's in paradise with the Lord and enjoying a game of pool with the greats.
 
I haven't been here much lately, but after happening across this news the board feels like playing on a coin-op with a ball missing. The game is still playable with adjustments... but it's just not the same.

Good-bye you old rapscallion. I miss the stories already.
 
I would have posted this link much earlier had I thought about it, but better late than never I guess.

http://photosbywhit.com/

This website belongs to a photographer friend of mine who took some photos at the 2005 Missouri State Amateur 9-Ball Championship. Tom (OHB) won the tournament that year, and there are several photos of him playing as well as receiving the trophy.

Again, I apologize for not posting this link sooner, but, to be perfectly honest, the significance of the photographs didn't hit me until this afternoon when I re-visited the site. I saw the photos of Tom, and I became aware of the possibility of his family and friends not even knowing they exist. This was probably one of the last tournaments Tom competed in, and there are some good shots of him doing his thing (basically just whooping up on everybody, lol). With all of the nice things that have been said about Tom on this board, I'm sure there are plenty who will enjoy these pics.

Aaron
 
Rest In Peace Tom

Tom knew my Father "Brier Spivey" and told me some good stories of dad, I love to hear the road storys as do all the AZ posters. He will be missed!! 139 post say this. God bless:( :( :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top