Thomas Eaker

Dearest Sue, Kari and Tim:
I just got back from overseas and heard about Tom's passing. I cannot tell you how sorry I am for your loss and sorry that I was not here to say a final good by. I am glad that I had a chance to say good by to him before I left for Afghanistan, I still remember the big hug he gave him along with his words of wisdom with that special Tom Eaker wit. I will miss him .

Carrie,
Our Deepest Sympathy to you and your family. Your father was a great man and good friend. I am so sorry for your loss.
Brenda Turner and Lindsey MacTaggart

Eakers,

Chester gave me my first haircut when I was little boy back in 1974. When Tom first cut my hair, he was introduced to me as "Chester's Little Boy". I remember that like it was yesterday. Shae and I used to go in there to get haircuts when we were skateboarding downtown. Bless your family and thank you for the wonderful memories.

My cousin, Susan Eaker, has lost the love of her life, her heartbeat, her soul mate.

Keri and Tim have lost their father, the man who provided the foundation in their lives, a confidante that is not easily replaced.

Jack has lost his buddy, his Poppa, his caretaker, his adult-sized playmate.

And the City of Edwardsville has lost its laughter, part of its heart, and a man who was most definitely a friend to all.

I didn't know Tom Eaker as well as I would...

My deepest sympathies to Kari, Jack, whom Tom spoke of often, and other family members, whom I've never met and can only imagine their feeling of loss. Both my husband and I were shocked to hear that Tom will no longer be a bright and friendly face when we bring our grandson, Riley, into Eaker's Barber Shop to get his hair cut.

Tom was the first to cut my grandson's hair at around 10 months old. Tom and Kari were both very patient in working with a scared little boy. Riley never...

I remember and it seems just like yesterday that Tom gave our youngest son, Alex, his first haircut. We were astonished to see that moment captured by film and on the front page of the Intelligencer the next day!!!! I used to get up early on Saturday to be one of the first customers of the day as the lines really formed around 7 am. Tom wheeled in on his bicycle in those days (or sometimes his Mustang!). To me, Tom was the Main Street of Edwardsville and the whole community has lost a...

Kari,
We are soo sorry to hear about "Uncle Tom" as my kids know him. We were just there not even 2 weeks ago. We are in shock! Mike always talked about the good old days--and each of the kids had their first haircut with Tom. Corey 21, Derek 18, Nicholas 8, Casey 6 and Allie 3 (even had her first whisps off by him.) He was always the nicest! My kids never complained about going to the barber, they looked forward to it. I can't imagine how Jack must feel----I'm having a hard time...

I am overwhelmed at the response from everyone who loved my dad. I don't think I'll ever be able to thank everyone enough for all of your support and kind words. I miss him so much already.
I will proudly keep Eaker's Barber Shop open and hope that it brings the compfort and memories of my dad to everyone like it does me.
I opened the shop on Friday, scared that it would make me sad to not have my dad standing there next to me. But, I felt him every second and know he's there with...

I was born and raised in Edwardsville and remember my father, brother and myself getting our hair cut by Tom or Chester for many, many years. I still use a line all the time that I memoried while getting my hair cut in Tom's chair: A wise monkey is a monkey that doesn't monkey with another monkey's monkey. Tom will be missed. God bless his family and friends.