Tommy Pride

Tommy Pride was born on April 18, 1926, as the proud son of farming parents Floyd L. and Alfa O. Pride, in Ryan Oklahoma. He left us very unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 6, 2009, after a tragic fall in his own home.

Tom proudly served his country after graduation from Redlands high School by volunteering for service at age 18, where he served in WWII from 1944 to 1946. Immediately after his honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy, he served his apprenticeship under a tile contractor in the San Bernadino and Palm Springs area., a craft he perfected leading to the establishment of his own master-craftsman tile contracting business in the Fresno Bass Lake, North Fork and Oakhurst area. Tom was never "out-of-plump" except when he was on his knees setting tile for his satisfied, often repeat clientele for 57 years.

Tom Pride was a "man's man" who was also adored by all the many women in his active life , as Husband, Brother, Father, Grandfather, Uncle, Cousin, Friend, Neighbor, Travel Companion, Fisherman, Sportsman, volunteer and principled role-model. He never met a stranger he didn't like, yet he had an active "crap-detector" that could distinguish the real from the phony over a mile away. Tommy was a man of few words, but he always took time to listen to others. He loved life, holidays, the color red, travel, dancing with Donna, fast-pitch softball (where he played in a league until age 49), fishing, skillfully building a fire and all of Nature.

He had simple, rock solid core values and principles: hard work; honesty; fair-play; give more than you take; unselfishness love for children and animals; caring empathy for people; and leaving things better than when he found them. Tom's hallmark traits were his dependable consistency, his reluctant sociability, his lack of pretense and his compassionate understanding of others. As rugged and tough as he was, on the outside, he could get a lump in his throat and a tear in his eye at the sight of a young child struggling, a bird-in-flight or an animal spooked by man's intrusion, a country-western ballad, sight of the twin peaks at Courtright an American Flag on display, or news of a fallen hero.

Tommy Pride, you left us far too soon, but you did manage to leave a rich legacy of Family, Friends and a Community of admirers. We'll never forget your restrained grin, your work-worn hands, your slightly bowed legs, your silver wavy hair, your robust laughter or your ability to make anyone feel welcome in your presence. You made "Play with Pride" a festive hallmark for many of us who were privileged to share your company. Your footprints on this planet and your fingerprints on so many of our hearts and minds will forever distinguish your humble, caring spirit from most mortals. You managed to treat waitstaff and royalty with the same dignity and respect. Your love of animal life is legendary..you were like an open door, Mountain - SPCA..except, you never put any of the stray critters up for adoption-they had a permanent, loving home on the Hard-Times Ranch.

Tommy was preceded in heavenly journey by four of his five sisters, Floydine Vaught, Mozelle Davis, Ruth Lipsky, and Billie-Jo Kuykendall.

Tommy is survived by his loving devoted wife, Donna Lee Pride, and a richly diverse blended family: sister, Heather (Fann) Mander and her husband Danny; daughters, Carol Pride Shennan and her husband Bill, Patti Pride Shennan and her husband Ross; sons, Randy Pride and his wife Denise, Darin Kuhn and his wife Debbie, Damon Kuhn and his wife Kim; grandchildren, Kristen (Shennan) Vencill, Tom Shennan, USN, Brenna Kelly, Derick Lee Kuhn, Delaney Kuhn, Garrett Kuhn, Dakota Kuhn and a host of close friends, neighbors and extended family members, including an adopted daughter, Belinda (Peanut) "Billie" Ditton. Tommy also leaves his furry menagerie, which includes his "kids" "Babe", "Lucky" "Conrad", "Shemane", "Lloyd", "Holly Pride" "Baby girl" (Sweet Pea) "Fluffy" and numerous "mountain kids" that includes deer, coyotes, woodpeckers, squirrels, ferrule-cats and numerous pond life, water fowl and natures critters.

A Celebration of Tommy's (Incredibly Full) Life Service will be held at Yosemite Lakes Community Church, 43840 Patrick Avenue, Coarsegold, Ca., on Friday, October 30, 2009, at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers or other tributes, please honor Tommy's quiet example and make a contribution, in his name to: Eastern Madera County SPCA P.O. Box 1314, Oakhurst, Ca., 93644.