Thomas M. "Big Tom" Tardy

Tardy, Thomas M., "Big Tom"
Tom passed away at the age of 64 on April 17, 2014 in Phoenix, AZ. Tom was born in Chicago, IL on January 5, 1950 to Thomas and June Tardy. He was the oldest of 6 children. Tom's family moved to AZ. while he was still a child. Tom graduated from Glendale High School in 1968, where he was a star athlete in football and wrestling. In his last three years of high school, Tom excelled in wrestling by winning multiple state wrestling championships. Tom's collage years playing football at Boise State, were short lived, due to a knee injury. He was a retired Teamster and a member of both, the CA. Local 166 and AZ. Local 104. It was at Mr. Lucky's, (old days) where Tom was a bouncer, that he ran into a guy named "Rich Drake" and started what would turn out to be a 40 + years friendship! (Now that is a "True" friend…..) Tom also helped out with the World of Wheels and The Jaycee's (with "Rich" ) for many years. In 1990 at a World of Wheels Event, Tom met "Daryl Eckhardt" and also started a long term friendship of 24 years. Tom loved history, especially World War I, World War II, and Vietnam. Though Tom was not a veteran himself, he donated 1000's of hours of his time helping to put on motorcycle runs to raise money for many veterans' organizations. Tom helped raise money for "Blue Star Mom's" and "American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.". He also put together the very first "Biker's Soar for Wildlife" to raise money for the wildlife bird sanctuary. Tom was very giving of his time, to help raise money for numerous organizations. Tom was proceeded in death by his father Thomas E., mother June, step-dad Jim "Pops", brother Scott and sister Judy. He is survived by his son Thomas J. (TJ), grandchildren Nicholas, Natalie & Noah, great grandchildren Hank & Zachary, and his two best friends Rich Drake and Daryl Eckhardt. Tom's true friends loved him for who he was, not for what they could get from him. Private services have been held. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Tom's name to one of his favorite organizations.