Thomas Edwards

For Taura, her sister Shalon, her brothers Roth & Rosh I send my sympathy for the loss of your father. While I never had the opportunity to meet Tom, I felt that he always loomed large in your lives - a bear of a man with a heart to match in his passionate quest to preserve and protect the bounty of our natural wilderness. May he forever walk in the woods of his dreams and yours. 

Tom was such a gentle giant.  In his quiet but passionate way, he was in the business of changing the world. Most of us think the problems are too big to tackle, but not Tom.  He was a crusader and he truly did change the world. I will miss him..especially at Art and Science in the Woods (Sun Foundation) where he shared his wealth of knowledge with many of us.  May you find peace in knowing how much he was loved and admired, by how much he loved you, his children, and by knowing that we will all celebrate together again someday in the next world.  

My condolences to Tom's family.  I was fortunate to know Tom through ACIM many years ago.  This was a good man doing a good job and he will be missed but his legacy will live on for all of the community to enjoy.  Thanks, Tom.

To all of Tom's Family: I will never forget the times your Dad took my sister, Nancy & me with all of you on outings to go foraging in the woods. I thoroughly enjoyed that and I also remember the good times we had when we went ice skating on Glen Oak Lagoon and wandered all over the Chataqua Wildlife refuge when Jack Toll managed it. Some of my best childhood memories were spent with your family and I am forever grateful that I have known you and your dad.

Roth our sincerest condolences for you and your family. Knowing Tom from when we were kids, I remember all the environmental work he and your family had done by educating our generation to respect our environment. I believe each of us were touched by this in some way. As we matured, we took some or all of this knowledge with us to share with our families. I want to thank Tom for this and bless your family during this time.

We will mis you, Tom.  You always made us think, even though  you already had the answer.  Always there for the new person, making them feel welcome.  Your life was like your book, full and worn from perserverance and dedication to what you believed would make this a better world for us all. 

  "A mans interest in a single bluebird is worth more than a complete but dry list of the fauta and flora of a town." Henry David Thoreau

Tom's service to the Peoria area community will be sorely missed.  His unselfish dedication and unquestioned integrity made him a role model for community activism.  Although I sometimes found myself in disagreement with some of his positions, I was always impressed by his honesty.  There are too few like him in today's world.

Shocked to hear of Tom's passing.  Sending thoughts and prayers to all of you.  Many happy memories when Shalon and Jenny were in high school.  Also remember Rasha, who was in Joyce's class.  My how time flies.  Love to all.  Jim & Barb 

to Tom's family:  I knew Tom from Panera's.  And enjoyed him so much.  We talked about lots of things over the years.  He will really be missed by the Panera coffee crowd.  I hope you all are doing as well as can be.  take care of yourselves and remember that it must have been time for Tom to rest.  luv ya, as he would often say, Jo Hammel