Oral Ballam, for 20 years a friend, co-worker and his Dean

Dear King Tom Family, all of you,
I know of no person I love more as a dear friend, long-time profession
partner, loyal Aggie, most caring and loving father and husband, good
citizen, true to the faith he nourished, and his dedication to all that
is "...true, good and beautiful..." We shared a bond of professional
and personal kinship that was as of there was one spirit occupying our
two bodies, one of course larger than the other. He could be
characterized as a kind hearted tough minded idealist, energetically
pursuing excellence in ALL his endeavors. He stood for what was right,
stood for principle as opposed to expediency. He dreamed miracles and
achieved them through his diligence, patience, common sense and focus on
his and shared dreams of others. I have never worked with a more
compassionate loyal capable person than Tom.

On learning of his death I reviewed some of our past correspondences.
After expressing to him again my love, respect and admiration, and
nostalgic tid-bits, I concluded with the following, "...(admiration)
that I have for what you have a accomplished with a group of very
capable, dedicated, loyal cohorts, all part of a superb unit nationally
recognized excellence, due to your leadership. judge of talent,
character, and confidence in and support of them. I admire you for your
professional dreams and tenacity in achieving them. And I only remember
calling time out once when you became fiery. I call it feisty
enthusiasm because you were absolutely right in that situation. I
admire you for it."

Tom and I shared many roller coaster rides of enthusiasm and despair.
On one of my time of despair he dropped by the office with his usual air
of joking enthusiasm and said something like, "Dean, remember, this too
will pass you by." Then he gave me a copy of a tape of that jolly
little tune, BE HAPPY. I played it many times and it always cheered me
up and made me think of Tom. I'm sure Tom, at this time, is saying, "Be
happy, This period of sadness will pass you by. Remember the
happiness we shared, and be true to the faith I nourished with
you." I'm positive The King would hope this would be the case with you.

And so, I extend my sympathy and love to all of you, and say to Tom ,
"Thanks for the memories. They are all based on the true, the good and
the beautiful. I cherish and appreciate them, thank you for them,
sincerely. Your friend eternally, Oral Ballam.:

And in all our years together . who developed