Just two weeks after we were fortunate enough to see him at the reunion, Tom passed away July 26, 1998, from a severe asthma attack while on a business trip to London. He was 38 years old.

Tom started his college career at Millikin University in Decatur, received his associates from Richland Community College (where he was coached by Steve Collie) and completed his bachelor's degree at Bradley University in 1982. In his senior year he was NFA National Champion in Impromptu.

In 1982-1983 Tom completed all the work for his master's degree in Communication from Illinois State except finishing his thesis. He left, however, to start law school at the University of Illinois, from which he received his J.D. and where he won a number of awards for his excellent work.

After law school, Tom moved to Denver, Colorado, where he worked for a large law firm for a number of years and then worked for the FDIC. In recent years Tom had gone into private practice and had just started a new business, McCarthy Exchange Services.

Tom was an extremely proud grandfather to Raachel Shelden, daughter of Bion '86 and Carolyn Shelden. He was also proud of having written the first draft of a novel and having climbed a mountain.

Tom's request, according to his mother Bonnie of Mt. Zion, Illinois, was that any memorials be made to the American Lung Association, Asthma Research Division. You may also wish to honor Tom by contributing to the ISU Forensics Alumni Memorial Fund, or to any of the other schools he attended.

Tom was a brilliant and talented man, yet he had a sweetness and warmth that his closest friends will never forget. He will be greatly missed.