Thomas Pike Jr.

Tom started and ended his day with three things in hand: a coffee, cigarette, and endless supply of scratch tickets. He was a face known by many in the Meredith community and held many jobs at various businesses. Tom was a hard worker and would love to visit the many places he worked. He left lasting impressions of wisdom, joy, and brighten everyone's day. He still to this day owes most of his coworkers that $5 dollars he borrowed that one time. Tom had rough life experiences in his past that made him a warrior. Through his struggles he found wisdom and his creator. He would spread his wisdom to anyone who crossed his path. Tom was a Graduate Chef, Skilled in Martial Arts, and scratch ticket winner, of course. His talent was taking any situation in life, adapting, and he turned it into something positive. Tom's coworkers, friends, and the community of Meredith will miss this one of a kind man, who passed away Thursday, June 22nd. He served others on a daily basis and was helpful to anyone who needed help. He found a family within this community and we will leave you this saying from the book he proudly published about self-discovery, Simple Acceptance:

When one speaks, they become who they are,

for we either create with our tongue a positive

or negative recall of the experience, life.

Only in silence do the words "I AM" become heard

throughout the heart, it then projects its defined meaning

of awareness within and then with confidence

is actualized without.

With a few chosen wise words

we can then speak truthfully amongst the elders

of universal agreement, as they gently nod and motion us

into our existing eternal life.

As we speak we become, when we think,

we are and with simple acceptance we can be.

-Pike Jr, Thomas. "Simple Acceptance." Ancient Whispers for modern Thoughts, Xlibris, 2009, p. 43.