Tom McEwen Obituary

Tom McEwen, the legendary former sports editor and columnist of the Tampa Tribune who helped to spearhead the growth of sports in the Tampa Bay area, died early Sunday June 5, at home on Davis Islands. He was 88.

Published by TBO.com from Jun. 5 to Jul. 5, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Tom McEwen

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171 Entries

r.i.p long time hockey fan

jim omilian

October 23, 2011

Linda,

You are in my thoughts and prayers. And know that you will never be alone in your journey through life.

Rosanna Diaz

July 5, 2011

I haven't lived in Tampa since 1977 and currently live in Smyrna, Ga. Tom McEwen has and always wil be in mind the best sports writer I have ever known. He wrote for a great newspaper and I still remember his football picks on Friday usually with a popular lady also making her pick.

Bob Cross

June 23, 2011

Elissa and Gabby, Know that you both are in my prayers as you deal with the loss of your father. Tampa will miss him greatly, but I know you will miss him more. God Bless

Tricia Brinson

June 14, 2011

Tom McEwen was to Tampa Sports what Sunshine was to Florida. RIP and have a glass of orange juice, eggs with fresh grapefruit for all of us...

Tony Grier

June 12, 2011

MAY THE COMFORT OF GOD LOVING ARMS EMBRACE THE FAMILIES & FRIENDS OF THIS AWESOME GENTLEMAN.

Susan Croy

June 12, 2011

REST IN PEACE TOM MAY GOD BE WITH YOU ALL WAYS JOHN BRYANT AND FAMILY

JOHN BRYANT

June 12, 2011

HEY TOM! Thank you.

Brian Townsend

June 12, 2011

Our condolences from Sports with Rick and the Ball Coaches on the TANTALK Radio Network 1340 and 1350 AM.

Richard Kolb and June Kittay

June 11, 2011

Good Bye good sir,
You made Tampa Bay a big stop on the sports map. You made a whole lot of something that was nothing at the time. God bless you and your family. I miss your daily writtings in the Trib. You column was always the first stop. Rest well you are at the gates of heaven voted in unamomously.

Joe Read

June 10, 2011

My son grew up reading Tom MeEwen in the sports pages of the Tampa Tribune; later Tom hired my son as a sports reporter out of The university of Florida and eventually my son became editor of the tribune; what a ride both of them had!

Dominic pugliese

June 10, 2011

My sympathies are with Linda and the families. Tom was a great friend for many many years and gave me a lot of pleasure with writing articles regarding The Florida Wheels wheelchair basketball.
Tom was a great contributor to the sports community and Florida in general.
My deepest sympathies.
Chuck Porter

Chuck Porter

June 10, 2011

I never had a chance to meet you in person but felt like I have known you all my life. I miss your "Hey Tom" still to this day. Thanks for all you did for the Tampa bay area. God bless and RIP.

Robert Cantrell

June 10, 2011

I never met Tom personally but read his great features. Yes he will be missed.
He is upstairs now writing his next column. My condolences to his family.

Grace Cantu-Griffis

June 10, 2011

I recall meeting you twice. Once at Guggino Eye Doctor, and before a Bucs game. I remember you telling me to just keep writing, and write what you feel. The best writer, and contributor to the city of Tampa EVER. I am now a student at HCC, and plan on going to USF to major in Mass Communications. I can say, I want to do something I love, and that is writing.

Eric Feliu

June 10, 2011

I grew up in the Tampa area and played high school football at Chamberlain during the mid-sixties. I loved reading The Morning After column with my freshly squeezed glass of Florida orange juice and especially when Tom wrote about Steve Spurrier and the Florida Gators. Even though I moved far away to Alaska in the mid- seventies I still followed his column on the internet. Thanks Tom for all the great years of keeping me in touch with sports in general and with your loyalty to the Gators.

Preston Harman

June 10, 2011

We have all heard,

"Do what you Love; Love what you do"!

Tom did both!

Patricia Love

June 10, 2011

To The McEwen Family,
I only read Tom's column and never met the man. In the last week, I've read about how important his presence was for the city of Tampa, my home for 28 years. The world could use more Tom McEwens. My condolences to the family as God has called a great one home. PS. I'm pleased to know they have sports in heaven.
Michael Baccich, Tampa, Florida

June 10, 2011

I loved reading "The Morning After" and was always thrilled when Tom would mention my father, Kong Smith. It was a pleasure to share the same hometown, Wauchula, with Tom.

Clemie Jo Lamb

June 10, 2011

Tom, thanks for that one valuable lesson, one that you, coach McKay and I are the only one that know anything about. Promise I will not tell. Tampa will miss you, bless you and your wife.

Doug Williams

June 10, 2011

I moved to Tampa in 94' and immediately became a fan of Tom McEwen. I was lucky enough to have a friend of mine get me a signed copy of Mr. McEwen's book Press Pass. Some really great anecdotes and stories all with Tampa themes and connections. It takes a great fan of sports to become a great writer of sports. My deepest condolences to the McEwen family.

Michael Middleton

June 10, 2011

For years the first thing I read in my morning Tribune was Tom's column, The Morning After. It was entertaining, insightful, informative and had the "Tom Touch". He is my hero and I loved that he never forgot he was from the Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg and Wauchula area!

Jeraldine Crews

June 10, 2011

Rick, please accept our condolences and deepest sympathy on the passing of your dad. It is a great loss for the entire community but small compared to your loss of a father. We know God has welcomed him home, may He also bless and comfort you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Ernie and Suzette Sample

June 10, 2011

The McEwen family will be in our prayers today, may Tom rest in peace, our deepest sympathies Jesse Sr. & Jennifer Gonzalez

Jennifer Gonzalez

June 10, 2011

You were one of a kind! Your hometown of Wauchula will be forever proud of you. I enjoyed running into you from time to time here in Tampa. Always had a smile!

Suzanne Clavel

June 10, 2011

Linda, Gabby, Lissy: I have the greatest memories of Tom. Whether it was spending time at the golf house in North Carolina, at a hunting party in Wauchula, at his home, or in Africa - he was always gracious, interesting, funny, and insightful. He was a great and reliable friend (and cousin) and we dearly loved him. Dad and Tom had a very special bond - I wish that my kids could have known Tom the way I did.

I don't think there has been a better ambassador for Tampa sports than Tom. I always loved reading his columns The Morning After and Breakfast Bonus - especially when he got to slip in some mouth cleansing Wauchula grapefruit.

We are really going to miss you Tom. You were an amazing man.

Godspeed and Go Gators!

Will Carlton

June 10, 2011

Hired by the Tribune straight out of college, my first job was as Tom's assistant and University of Tampa beat writer. I knew next to nothing about either! Relying on basic survival skills and watching Tom's modus operandi, I absorbed enthusiastically.

Stand your ground, pay attention to the underdogs and always maintain the ability to laugh at oneself are the lifetime gifts I carry with me. Thanks Tom!

My condolences to Linda and family and my thanks for sharing this wonderful soul with us. Many of us are better humans just for having spent time in Tom's fascinating orbit!

With gratitude,

Kimberly DeFalco

June 9, 2011

Tom's love of sports infected me at an early age. Seeing the world through his eyes helped me to understand the layers of efforts needed to make a game happen. It was his, many times romantic, vision of sports that led me into the broadcast industry. My unmistakable passion for the Buccaneers grew from the seeds he planted. God bless his family.

Andy Kingery

June 9, 2011

Rich and Ginny - So sorry to read about your Dad. He certainly was special. I'm out of town and won't be able to attend but you know my prayers and thought's are with you guy's.

Jim Gee

June 9, 2011

To The McEwen Family:
May God comfort you during this time of great sorrow. As an avid reader of Tom's columns, I feel as though I've known him all of my life. Having met him, clearly he had a delightful story tailored just for you. I will always appreciate his embrace and advancement of diversity. He catapulted his passion and ties to close knit, fierce loyalty of the Tampa community into the global arena. He was deeply loved, will be deeply missed and his deeds long remembered. Be assured that he is in the peaceful embrace of our Creator. God bless you all.

Myron Jackson

June 9, 2011

Tom, thru the years, you have given my family alot to be thankful for. My son played for the gators from 95-99, #87 Robby Stevenson In those years, I got to really get close to Tom and his work. My sincerest sympathies to Linda and the kids, thru these tough times. Tom will be surely missed, but is now in "Gator Heaven"

Warren Rench

June 9, 2011

To Linda and the family - All of us in Tampa lost a great sports legend. Tom was a good friend to us at the Tampa Tarpons and the ISI Sports Network. Most of us in the media have always felt like Tom was our leader in Tampa sports. I will be out of town Friday and unable to attend but wanted to send my condolences.

- Mitchell Mick , Tampa native

June 9, 2011

Thomas,
You made our live richer when you were with us and we are poorer without you.
My brother and I have been reading you for more than 30 years and looked forward to every new article.
My thoughts out to Linda and the kids, we will miss him like no other.

Babaloo.

robert dansby

June 8, 2011

I spent 15 years in the area & reading Tom's column was a daily ritual for me. I had a chance to meet him a few times & he was always a gentleman. My sincerest sympathies to the McEwen family.

Michael Gentz

June 8, 2011

Tom was a giant in the craft of bringing sports to life with words. He was a giant among the leaders and the losers.
I worked in Florida during the 1970s, a sports hack who later moved to the Nashville Banner where I worked for the late Fred Russell, who worked at the same newspaper for 69 years before the Banner folded. He and Tom were contemporaries and shared a religous affinity for practical jokes, for pumping out one-liners that would leave you holding your stomach you laughed so hard.
I always counted it as a blessing to be in the same press box with Tom, seeing that sparkle in his eye -- knowing the next words out of his mouth would make me laugh.
He was a giant for Tampa, the state of Florida, the world of college athletics and had so much pride about being able to bring the NFL to the Bay.
As Mr. Russell said when he turned 90 and was still writing a weekly column, "Turning 90 is not for sissies.''
We all must face that day but the memories and laughter that Tom left behind should be treasured in this world in which has turned much too mean.
My condolences and prayers go out to the McEewn family. He touched countless lives along the way.

Joe Biddle

June 8, 2011

To Linda and the McEwen family,
Thanks so much for sharing Tom with all of us. We are all better for having known and worked with him and the Tampa Bay community was the greatest beneficiary of all! We'll never forget his support, advice and counsel during the highly interesting early Tampa Bay Lightning days!
My thoughts and prayers are with you as Tom's great life is celebrated.

Gerry Helper

June 8, 2011

To Rick and Ginny. So sorry to here about the passing away over the weekend of your father.
I want you to know that your Dad had a powerful influence in my life. I went to King High in 1966 and 1967 and met you Rick playing baseball on the high school team. My family was realtively new to Florida and it was through your Dad's column's and listening to him talk about the Gators that I became a huge Gator fan. I graduated from Florida, met my wife at Florida, and 3 of my children have since graduated from Florida with a 4th currently enrolled. I told my wife and children last night that I owe it to Mr. Mcewen for instilling in me that Gator spirit, without that spirit I could just of easily gone to school at FSU or the local Jr College and never met my wife or had 4 kids become Gators. May God's peace be with you. - Sincerly - Dan Jett - King High class of 1967

June 8, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers go with you in your time of sorrow. Remember Tom McEwen with Love, Laughter and Joy!

Katherine & Roger Clapp

June 8, 2011

I am saddened about the loss of Tom McEwen, but am grateful for the pleasure he brought to me from childhood on to adulthood, reading his columns and sports coverage. As a lifelong Gator fan, I always was particularly eager to read his thoughts about the fortunes of the Orange and Blue. Also, when I was a journalism student at UF in the 1970s, he once was a guest lecturer for one of my classes in the old Stadium. I had the pleasure of talking with him and having him sign my copy of his excellent book on the history of Gator football. He was generous with his time and advice for a student soon to enter the world of journalism. Thank you, Tom McEwen, for all that you did to make Tampa, and Florida, a better place.

Charles Morrison

June 8, 2011

Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Ginny, this is Beth Graves Davis from Gainesville back in the 60's, now Clearwater. So sorry for your loss of your Dad. What a wonderful life he gave you and had himself. Surely the strength of his community will be felt.

Beth Graves-Davis

June 7, 2011

I cannot express how important reading Tom's columns during my formative years in the Tampa area was in entertaining and educating me. I felt that Tom believed, as do I, that sports teach, inspire and unite in ways that other disciplines struggle to accomplish. Tom would stir all of my emotions with his wonderful writing style. I pray for his family and will miss his writings but know I am better because of him!

Wayne Fuller

June 7, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time for the loss of a beloved man.

Gary & Tracy Day

June 7, 2011

After 30 years in the Tampa Bay area Tom McEwen is MR. SPORTS-dependable, reliable and always told it like it was. I will truly miss your articles and commentaries. My deepest condolences to your family.

Lisa Grady

June 7, 2011

I grew up in Tampa in the '70s, and have lived in every major market in Florida and several out of state since. He was the best sports columnist I ever read. Period. Thanks for the Bucs, Bulls and Super Bowls. He will be greatly missed.

Steve the Bull

June 7, 2011

My condolences to the McEwen family on the loss of their beloved husband and father. I attended King High School with Tom's daughter, Virginia in the Class of 1968. I always enjoyed Tom's sports columns and especially remember calling him in 1970 from my home in Rhode Island to determine if Thomas Owens was a victim of the Witchita State football plane crash. Tragically, Tom Owens did perish in that horrible event. Tom McEwen's own grief was apparent and his compassion at that time was comforting to me.

Carl Arruda

June 7, 2011

Hey Tom!

When I think of you a smile comes to my face. You were a great man. You had such leadership ability, a great sense of humor and was a wonderful boss.

There are few people that can put "benchmark" lifetime moments in people's lives and you were one of them for me.

You will be missed by so many.

Our condolences to your beloved family and friends. We are so sorry for your loss.

With Love,

Joseph and Elizabeth Lazzara, Apollo Beach, FL

June 7, 2011

You will be dearly missed. I pray for you and your family members.
Steve Holcomb

Stephen Holcomb

June 7, 2011

Hey Tom,

When I think of you a smile comes to my face. You were such a great boss, had a wonderful sense of humor and were such a great man. There are few people that can put a "benchmark" moment in other people's lives and you are one of them for me.

You will be missed by so many!!

Our condolences to your beloved family and friends.

We are so sorry for your loss.

Joseph and Elizabeth Lazzara , Apollo Beach, Florida

June 7, 2011

Tom McEwan not only was sports in Tampa but was sports in Florida. I can assure you that his columns were read not only by his fellow citizens of Tampa but also by journalism students and sport enthusiasts in Orlando, Gainesville, Lakeland and anywhere they cared about the Tampa Bay Bucs, The Tampa Bay Rowdies and his beloved Florida Gators. We will certainly miss Tom. Although I didn't know him personally, I feel like I lost an old friend.

Bernie Hamel

June 7, 2011

Tom McEwen was one in a million. I was fortunate enough to get hired to work for him right out of college in 1972 and he did a whole lot for me. It's amazing the number of great sports figures who walked into our department to chat with Tom during my two years there. My condolences to his family.

Dan Biser

June 7, 2011

His descriptions of his breakfast every morning used to make my mouth water! Greatest sports writer of all time. We were blessed to have him in our area. God's speed Tom, you will be missed.

Dan Belcher

June 7, 2011

I had the pleasure of working with Tom for 10 years at the Tampa Tribune. He was one of the kindest and fairest men I have ever known. He made the newspaper a better place to be by simply being there. He will be greatly missed.

Sandra Trean

June 6, 2011

I haven't seen Tom in a long time. I have missed him and now more than ever. He was truly my mentor. I owe much of my success to his guidance, support, talent and confidence in me. Three years working for him in Gainesville and a few more with the Tribune rank among the best in my life. Tribune Sports - Tom, Jim Selmon, Bill Kirby and the rest - forever will be in my heart. Bless you Linda and the rest of the family. The Bull Gator is now with the Angels.

Ken McKinnon

June 6, 2011

Sometimes a cliche is a perfect fit. Tom McEwen was one of a kind. Growing up in the Tampa Bay area, and spending more than 40 years in Florida journalism, including a spell in the Tribune newsroom, made you realize how special Tom was, a devoted newspaperman who loved his town.

Jim Toner

June 6, 2011

I admired him for the last 50 years. He was "The Man" in Tampa Bay sports and we owe him so much. God Speed Tom!

Blake Reed

June 6, 2011

I enjoyed reading his columns for years.

Bill Whitfield

June 6, 2011

Ginni,

My condolence to you, Sean, Christopher, and family. Your dad is one of the reasons we are the sport enthusiasts we all are. Tampa and the sports world will miss him.

Patty Griffin Sanchez

June 6, 2011

You Were Mr. Tampa Tom You Were The Best RIP Mr. Tom Mcewen

Kenny Frerichs

June 6, 2011

He WAS sports in Tampa. Without him there would be no Bucs, no Rowdies, no Rays, no Lightning, no Super Bowls. Every single morning since I could read, I immediately opened up the Tribune to the "The Morning After". Best of wishes to Linda, Gabby, and Elissa from my sister Suzanne and me.

Bob Patterson

June 6, 2011

Having had the opportunity to live in several great cities in our country and read many great columnists, there was no one, NO ONE, that I looked forward to reading as much as Tom McEwen. Sometimes he would anger, many times he would humor but always he would inform.
This weekend I will make sure to eat two eggs, a slice of bacon, toast with a dab of mayo and slice of fresh tomato and follow it with a bite of mouth-cleansing cantaloupe.
May God comfort all of you at this time.

Nathan Jeter

June 6, 2011

To the McEwen family, our thoughts are with you now. We were very lucky to have known him. Growing up in Tampa, he was a household name in our family. He is "The Greatest Sports Writer".
Our father had the utmost respect for Tom. He shared many stories of wonderful memories with Tom.
Sincerely,
The Gomez girls, Lynda, Daphne, Toni and Melanie

Melanie Gomez

June 6, 2011

Farewell to the greatest Sports writer and finest human being.I consider myself privileged to have known him socially and as a patient.Rest in Peace,Tom

Rodolfo Eichberg,MD

June 6, 2011

To the McEwen Family,
Though I no longer live in Tampa, I was just as sad to learn of Tom's passing. My mind went immediately to his breakfast menu and the way he made me salivate reading the lead in to his column. Tampa was very lucky that Tom chose it has his home. I know your family will hear from many in the coming days, but please know the love I feel for a man I never knew personally is and will remain strong. The Tampa Bay area owes a lot to the McEwen family and I am sure Tom will be rewarded for his good deeds in Heaven.

Susan Mitchell

June 6, 2011

During my years with the Gators and in Tampa, Tom always made me feel like I was part of the family. It was super to talk to him again at this year's Outback Bowl Gala. One of the All-Time Great's as a person and in the sports world.

Bob Hewko

June 6, 2011

Dear Linda and family:
God Bless Tom and your family. Tom's passing is like the closing of a chapter in Tampa's history. He was the clarion voice of community progress through sports for decades. As much as any person, he helped frame the discussion then moved the debate on making Tampa and the Tampa Bay area a big league community. I relished the opportunity to work with him on getting the Ice Palace done and RJS. I am glad that I got to visit with Tom and you all along with David LeFevre at the XO club a few months past. That building, and so many other great venues and events, are a tribute to his civic passion.

Ed Turanchik

June 6, 2011

Dear Linda and Family,

I was so saddened to hear that Tom had past away. After being part of your family of 20 years while working at McEwen Travel we certainly had some great times and I always enjoyed Tom's columns and his breakfast bonus. I know how much he loved to travel the world with you and how much you loved each other. Just know that he is in God's arms now and he is being well taken care of. I know you will miss him dearly. My prayers are with your entire family at this time.

Libby Phillips

June 6, 2011

You were, are and always will be Tampa sports. Thank you for the breakfast menus, the laughter, for sharing the frustrations and celebrations of every win or loss by our beloved BUCS, BOLTS & RAYS! You sir were simply are best!

Tony Rodriguez

June 6, 2011

OVER 7 OR SO DAY OLD BLOMIN ONION STRAWS, HALF A PRESSED CUBAN FROM ALESSI, LEFT-OVER GLOB OF MAMA MIA'S LASAGNE, A FEW WELL PLACED SCOUPS OF GUAVA PASTE ON ANYTHING, THEN, AN ICED LONG NECK OF ART'S BEST BUDWIESER, THESE BREAKFAST BONUSES. WE HAD A LOT OF GOOD FUN OLD TOM. I KNOW THAT YOU VALUED MY FRIENDSHIP BECAUSE YOU NEVER USED ME AS GRIST FOR YOUR COLUMN. INSTEAD, YOU ELEVATED THE SOLOMONS' AND THE MATUSZAKS' THEY NEED THE PROPS. THANX OLD FRIEND. HOW CHAGRINED WE BOTH WERE WHEN I MOTORED US OUT TO DAVE STEWARTS' GOLF COURSE IN TRINITY FOR A TOURNAMENT AND LO AND BEHOLD IF IT WASN'NT IN YOUR HONOR. SPONSORED BY THE 62 OR SO WRITERS YOU MENTORED. ONLY BUSTER AGLIANO MIGHT HAVE THOUGHT THERE WAS SOMETHING FISHY ABOUT THAT. REMEMBER OLD TOM WHEN WE BROUGHT DOWN THE HOUSE, OR AT LEAST THE DOOR, AT THE "LEADERSHIP TAMPAS" PAUL HOGAN ROAST? SURELY YOUR CUP RANNETH OVER. YOU ARE AN EXAMPLE OF A LIFE WELL LIVED OLD TOM. KUDOS. YOU LEAVE A LEGACY OF FAMILY, FRIENDS, CIVIC EVENTS,AS WELL AS, A CORRAL OF WRITERS THAT BLOSSOMED UNDER YOUR TUTELAGE. WHILE FRANK KLEIN IS HANGING OUT THE MORNING MENTIONABLES YOU CAN HAVE A "POP" WITH COACH FRYZEL. THATS NICE.....NOW WHERE'S THAT BOTTLE OF BUD.

DANNY LEA

June 6, 2011

After every Bucs game I opened the Monday Tampa Tribune and read what Tom thought about the game. The Breakfast Bonus was required reading. 'Hey Tom' the social media of the 80's & 90's. He wrote like he was writing to you personally. That's what made him great. We have lost a true icon in Tampa today. He lived a wonderful life and I have no doubt he got a pass to the front of the line to heaven. Rest in peace Tom, Tampa loves you!!

Carlos Boothby

June 6, 2011

Tom's contributions to Sports and Tampa throughout his career will be endless. But my very special personal memories of him when I worked in the newsroom are my favorite - his sense of humor, his "life" advice and the laughter he brought to my every work day.

He was proud of his family.

He was a kind and generous friend.

BeBe Noriega-Hicks

June 6, 2011

Tom McEwen loved sports and he loved Tampa Bay. Those of us who cheer for the Bucs, the Rays and the Lightning owe him a huge debt for putting this area on the sports map. Condolences to his family and friends.

Maggie Hall

June 6, 2011

He will never be forgotten. He was a great man and a great writer.

Eula Freeman

June 6, 2011

Tom was the most interesting and entertaining sports columnist. We Tribune circulation employees back in the 70's, 80's and 90's knew that Tom's columns sold newspapers! And, we were proud to deliver and sell news created by such a great sports editor.

Don Hornbeck

June 6, 2011

Linda and Gabriella - So sorry to hear about Tom. My thoughts and prayers are with you both. I'm having breakfast tomorrow in honor of Tom - chilled Florida orange juice, two eggs straight-up and broken over yellow grits, three slices of bacon, two slices of buttered toast with apple jelly, and a glass of champagne.

Chris Casimer

June 6, 2011

The world will awake tomorrow minus one great character. I consider myself fortunate to have known him at all. I'm sure he would tell us (in his own unique way,) to move on and not waste too much time mourning for some old guy from Tampa. Let him live on forever in our memories and our countries history.
He was an amazing individual and he will be missed by many.

Frank H. Walters, Jr

June 6, 2011

I GREW UP IN THE ERA OF TOM SILER,RAYMOND JOHNSON,GRANTLAND RICE,FURMAN BISHER,FRED RUSSELL AND OYHER SOUTHERN SPORTS WRITERS. NONE COULD COMPARE TO TOM.I MOVED HERE IN 1985 AND DON'T THINK I EVER MISSED ONE OF TOM'S ARTICLES.HIS MEMORIALS TO LEADERS WERE HIS FINEST.MY BREAKFAST MENU WILL CHANGE. HE WAS SPECIAL AND WILL BE MISSED.

ARTHUR MARKS

June 6, 2011

Tom, your passing has made the world a little smaller and a whole lot less interesting. One of your greatest fans while growing up in Tampa, I will truly miss reading those great sports articles you once shared with so many of us. I especially would like to thank you for calling an old friend of yours many years ago, Coach Don Williams, and suggesting he throw his name in the selection hat and then becoming the first basketball coach at USF.

May God bless your Linda and bring comfort to your family.

Wayne Williams

June 6, 2011

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of the great Tom McEwen. I always enjoyed his columns, especially his "Breakfast Bonus." My husband Dean and I will always remember the hospitality he and his wife Linda showed the Trib sports staff at the annual get-together at the McEwen home. He was a consummate professional in every sense of the word, and a true Southern gentleman. There will never be another like him, and my prayers and thoughts are with Linda and the McEwen family.

Charmain Yobbi

June 6, 2011

Tom was absolutely an example of the best Tampa had to offer. I had the chance to meet him as a kid an I've admired him ever since. I have in my home office a framed copy of the sports page cover of the Bucs first win which was done on special paper that doesn't yellow. He gave to my mother to give to me when I was in elementary school and I've cherished it ever since. Great man, great legacy.

Arhur Noriega

June 6, 2011

A legend.
Sincerely,
Doug Musgrove
Portland, Oregon

Doug Musgrove

June 6, 2011

Toms' family we are so sorry he passedaway, We loved his articles in the paper, I met him at ball game and he was wonderful, too my childern.Wanted you to know how we appreciated him.
again we are sorry he passed, he will be miss.Flora Taylor and Family.

June 6, 2011

I have only known Tom and Linda for a short time, but now to have known him makes me a very lucky person. I am so sorry for the family's loss. Linda, your quote in the paper was correct, he is no longer suffering. He will be deeply missed

Debbie McBride

June 6, 2011

My interview for a copy editing job at The Tampa Tribune in 1987 was down to me meeting Tom McEwen in his office that looked more like a man-cave.

Naturally, I was nervous. I knew of McEwen, both from reading the Morning After as sports-junkie kid and from seeing him in The Tribune hallways when I was a copy-runner in the early ‘80s while in college.

I was waiting in his office when he arrived. We exchanged pleasantries and then he quickly scanned my resume.

“What high school did you attend?’’

“Robinson.’’

Then I quickly and sincerely added:

“Larry Smith (former Gator and NFL running back) was one of my idols growing up. He graduated from Robinson. I still have an autographed picture that my mom’s boss, (local businessman) Lee Altman, arranged to have sent to me.’’

Then I mentioned how my older brother went to Robinson with former pro wrestler “Dirty’’ Dick Slater.

I figured name-dropping can’t hurt in an interview. Well it didn’t. I got the job, but not before we spent some time talking about local sports, idols, landmarks and everything Tampa and Florida.

That was Tom McEwen. He was Tampa. He was Florida. He will be missed.

Dean Yobbi

June 6, 2011

I worked at the the paper in the early 90's in IT and got to know Tom and enjoyed talking with him some much about baseball and just about every day things, he was look a father to me and some of the others around the building by the river. RIP Tom.
Dale Painter

Dale Painter

June 6, 2011

Tom, I never met you, but you guided my sports knowledge from the moment I arrived in the area. Thank you for giving the area such a rich life in all sports, and life in general. Enjoy yourself up there with St Peter, hope I manage to get up there too, just to shake your hand.
Once again, Thank You.

Mike Smith

June 6, 2011

Hey Tom, Thanks so much for all the stories. lunches and most of all for being a great friend. I am so happy to have been a guest in your home and that you made my son feel right at home, it is something he talked about for so long. And most of all thanks for making This the most wonderful palce to liive, may god bless you, Linda and your loved ones.
Thanks Gerry Brisco

Gerald Brisco

June 6, 2011

An avid, reader of his column, I received a personal and friendly reply from him when I wrote to comment on the huge breakfast of a local wrestler in his ever present "Breakfast Additive" at each column's end. I later met him and his brothers, Atty. "Red" McEwen at a funeral wake and we had a nice conversation about those breakfasts.

Curtiss Wilson

June 6, 2011

Simply the BEST. Love you Tom!!!!!!

Roy Conner

June 6, 2011

Tom did it his way, not by anyone else' s playbook. Journalists hope to make some impact with their work. Tom literally created Tampa as a major league sports town. It is a remarkable achivement never to be repeated. I was honored to play a small role in Tom's selection for the USF journalism hall of fame and creation of a scholarship in his name. My condolences to his family.

Gil Thelen

June 6, 2011

It was during my stint as the Tribune's University of Florida beat writer (1997-2004) that I learned firsthand what a gracious, benevolent human being Tom was. Though I was a young "hack," Tom introduced me to every dignitary we encountered in an SEC press box, and he seemed to do it proudly. Though unquestionably the most influential sports personality Tampa has known, he made time for the little guy. To be able to cover the greatest Florida-FSU game ever played (1997 in Gainesville) alongside Tom McEwen remains one of my proudest moments in journalism. My sincerest prayers for the family.

Joey Knight

June 6, 2011

What a sad day it is. I still remember starting my morning everyday when I was young by reading his columns, which always began by describing the most audacious breakfast. His literate and witty style will be greatly missed.

Dane

June 6, 2011

The only man I was ever in awe of. When I met him I so wanted an autograph but couldn't ask for it. Linda, I'm so sorry for your loss. For all of our loss.

jerry Jolly

June 6, 2011

Condolences to Linda, Rick, and the rest of the McEwen family. Those of us who knew him were better for it. I mourn the loss and celebrate the life of a true icon of sports journalism and civic activism.

Carter Gaddis

June 6, 2011

In 1960, three days after I graduated from Plant High School, Tom McEwen gave me my first job as a vacation sub in the Tampa Times sports department. Later that summer, he made me the sports stringer at the University of Florida. The rest of my 39-year career in the newspaper business, including my part of a Pulitzer Prize and my editorship of the Philadelphia Inquirer, would have not been possible without that first break. I owe him everything.

Walker Lundy

June 6, 2011

Thank you Tom. For everything.

Dino

June 6, 2011

As a Tampa native, I grew,along with so many others,up reading The Morning After. I looked forward to what was for breakfast and often asked my mother to make the same menu. But more than that he taught me about those sports girls were not suppose to have an interest. Not only was he a great writer but a speaker as I had the opportunity to hear many times. Tampa and the Bay area has lost a great person but we know the HEAVEN TRIBUNE has just gained a great writer! If he has his way, the next professional team will be from Heaven.

Sharon Didden

June 6, 2011

Tom was a friend and mentor from the day I first met him. When I was a "rookie" in Tampa, Ton's advice was invaluable and today is the same advice I give to newcomers in Tampa and every where else.I am sad that he is not here with us any more but my heart smiles with so many wonderful memories. tommy

Tom duPont

June 6, 2011

My father was a big Tarpon fisherman until his death in 1977. Some of my earliest memories are of reading the Tarpon stories Mr. McEwen wrote. The untimely death of a friend from one of the Tarpon fishing families led Mr. McEwen to write a very poignant article that tied the history of Tampa Tarpon fishing with the tragic loss of Doug Kersey, that article makes me cry to this day. Mr. McEwen was all class, and I will miss his articles and his sense of Tampa sports history.

William Buie

June 6, 2011

Tom made us all better people just by knowing him. We've lost a legend and a friend.
susan welsh

June 6, 2011

Tom was a great Gator and a great writer. That makes at least two in sports heaven. He will be missed on earth. He was a true wit. Bobby Hicks will be there to greet him too!

Susan Norton Curtis
daughter of Pete Norton who initiated "The Morning After"

Susan Curtis

June 6, 2011

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