Lawrence A. (Larry) Wieties

Tom is best remembered for being an accomplished athlete who was a three year varsity football player  and made the all state football team. He was an aggressive, tough and durable player who took a beating as a running back and dished it out defensively as a linebacker. His leadership skills were evident and he lead by example. Personally, I realized how competitive he was as a teammate in football and he and I battled each other for playing time in basketball.

Tom was the type of person you were proud to call friend. If ever there was a "situation", he was there to stand tall. Many of us recall when girls were being harassed at LHS as they went through the main lobby and  passed through the double  doors. They told Tom about it and he eliminated the problem.

In college, Tom and I both attended Western Illinois University our freshman year. He went for football and I played baseball. Our practice fields were adjacent down in the "bowl" and we could watch each other and walk back to the locker rooms together. I felt bad for him because he was injured several times involving cuts and stitches.

I don't know why he joined the service but suspect he followed his brother, who was in the marines. And to this day, I remember that dreadful night when news was received about Tom's death from a car accident. We were at Russell's drive in on Dirksen Parkway and everyone was in disbelief. People were shocked and consoling each other. Such a tragic loss at such a young age.

Carol Lee Watts (Yarbrough)

Tom and I were engaged to be married.  In 1963 he was killed 3 months before our wedding.  It was a devastating loss for me…and still is after all of these years.

He did not like college and was low on funds, so he joined the US Army and planned to make it his career. After only three weeks, he was made platoon leader.  He was such a great person, I thought I would share a few things you may not have known about him.

He was a devoted son and brother.  He never had many material things but his family was a great source of love and humor for him.  His humor was well known among his friends.  He loved his friends and showed it and was always there for them if they were under stress.

He was a very talented singer…entertaining many of us at parties with his Little Richard and Ray Charles songs.  He loved to laugh and could laugh at himself.

Tom was a poet.  He wrote many love poems from his heart. 

I have tried to attach an article in which coach, Ed Ransford, said “he was the toughest kid I’ve ever had.  He was a coach’s football player.  He weighed no more that 165 pounds.  He wasn’t overly fast.  He wasn’t the slippery type runner and , actually, he didn’t pack extreme power.  But no player ever meant more to the soul of a football team.  When we told him to hold his fake for five yards, he didn’t ask if four would do…he went six.”

He was loyal and trustworthy.  We all loved him and are better people for just being able to call him our friend.

Carol Lee Watts Yarbrough

Carol Lee Watts (Yarbrough)

Carol Lee Watts (Yarbrough)

Carol Lee Watts (Yarbrough)

Frank S. Adamo

Thank you Carol for our heartfelt comments. I have just went through some of "In Memory" postings and came across Thomas'. I really didn't know him except watching him on the football field. Yet, it's always good to know and understand our classmates. 

Janice Rae Skilbeck (Johnston)

Even though I moved to Lanphier in my junior year, Tom was in several of my classes, so I got to know him quite well.  He was friendly to everyone and had a great sense of  humor.  Like many classmates who were still living in Springfield when he died, I think everyone who knew him felt a deep sense of grief because such a friendly, good-natured friend was lost to us all.      Jan (Skilbeck) Johnston