hi, folks. i just ordered flowers for tommy mccray's funeral. the card will read: "Your friends on the H.A.M.B. We'll miss you, Weekender." the cost was a couple of bux shy of $150.00. i'm posting this to give you an opportunity to pitch in a couple of dollars towards the cost. if you do want to make a contribution you can paypal it to willie.atchley@med.va.gov, or send $ to: mike atchley 1595 county road 256 columbia, missouri 65201 chris (tommy's wife) and their children know how much tommy is loved and how highly thought of he is, but i want to have something visible at the funeral to show them how much the hamb folks care for him. thanx in advance for any contributions that get made. if any funds above the cost of the flowers is collected i'll make sure that they get to one or both of the charities that chris requested receive memorials in tommy's name. by-the-way, here's one sentence from his obituary: "He also set a world record drag racing with the American Hot Rod ***ociation on Oct. 10, 1965."
The address for Chris McCray (Tommy's widow) is: 1329 State Highway WW Fulton, Missouri 65251 His son Timmy is a hamber, but has only posted 6-8 times in the couple of years since he intro'd. I can't remember what his handle is. Maybe McGrath remembers. Or Weeds. Or Visor. Any of you guys know Timmy's screen name?
"Stewed" I think. He has an old Studebaker pickup he's been piddling with for years. Atch, I'll try to catch you at the visitation with some money. I think Ryan was planning on sending flowers too. I've only seen you once though, so if you're better with faces than I am, make sure and remind me who you are.
Just PayPaled you some help Mike...I think this is a good thing you did to let Tommie's family know that he has touched lives while he was here.
i just got home from tommy's visitation. the hamb flowers were the BIG arrangement that had a dozen of the best roses you've ever seen in it along with a bunch of other stuff. since roses and dandelions are about the only plants i recognize i don't know what else was in there, but it was as beautiful as you could want and i think it showed people how much hambers think of tommy. it was the first arrangement you got to after you signed the guest register, and i heard people discussing just who these "folks on the H.A.M.B." were. thanx for all the contributions already sent and all those yet to come. if more comes in than the cost of the flowers (minus my own contribution, of course) i'll get the money to the charities, like i said at the beginning.
bttt PayPal sent Very thoughtful of you atch Hope there's a good showing of cars at the funeral. R.I.P. Tommy
My wife and I stood in line for an hour and a half. When we came back out, the line outside was even longer than when we arrived. That kind of gives you an idea of how well Tommy was thought of around here. They had the Henry J parked right in front of the entrance to the Funeral home. The H.A.M.B. flowers Atch sent looked great, but there was also another arrangement of white flowers that I believe were sent by Ryan. I didn't look at the cards, but Tommys brother told me both arrangements came from the H.A.M.B. ***dragger sent an arrangement from his Car Club as well. All of Tommys family sends their thanks to the H.A.M.B. The Pinstriping on the Casket was done by a fella out of Kansas City, but I wasn't able to get his name. He did an excellent job striping it and also added the "Henry J" script, and "Weekender". Hopefully the rain they are calling for tomorrow holds off 'til after the Funeral...
I remember the name. PayPal Sent. We've lost yet another and it seems to be a trend...that I hope breaks soon. My Thoughts & Prayers are with his family. GRHS- mercman1951
The last few years or so, I get teary-eyed at the drop of a hat. I'm glad the funeral sounds like it was well-recieved. Sounds like EXACTLY the way I'd like to be remembered...tastefully done, I'm sure he'd approve. Wish I'd met him. mercman1951
Sean- I missed seein' you- the striper was Eric["pinstripin by Eric"-Liberty Mo] Me and Reggie were there tonite at 6PM....saw Mike[atch] AND A FEW OTHERS ...TONY [***dragger]-[he's family]. Tommy had a few..... friends to see him off ,as I had expected-the line was clear back to that cemetary from that Funeral home, when we arrived and only took 1-1/2 hours to get in to see him,and as stated the line was still as long when we went to the car..... SEEIN that HenryJ there just put chills up my spine-a nice touch of personal memory...... His family was there and I got to meet them too.They saw my Hamb shirt and said to say how much they appreciated the time Tommy enjoyed at the Hamb drags and on the board-ALSO said to relate THE NICE FLOWERS WERE APPRECIATED. The Hotrodding world is somehow lesser for his p***ing.
We were about a half hour ahead of you. I figure I better get there about 6am tomorrow just to get a seat...
Just returned home,from Tommys visitation, and you know, I thought a lot of Tommy, apparently many others did the same.I dont know how many people showed up, but it was huge! I really wasnt looking forward to going,cause I dont take loosing friends very well and especially not hot rod buddys,but while I was there, waiting in line, to see him, I over heard bits and pieces of conversations about Tommy and his life.I soon realized that Tommy had the same effect ,on many people, from all different walks of life, as he did, on us hot rodders.I heard things like, he was a great guy to work with, he was a blast to hang out with, and of course many car stories.Then a peaceful calming feeling came over me as I waited there and I realized, here is a friend that has lived a good life and even though cancer has won the battle,Tommy has won the war and prevailed, that was proven, by the turn out of his friends and the love they showed by just being there. And the Hamb was well represented, with qoutes, pictures and flowers, you should all feel a little proud tonight, you done good. His family thanks you all. I also thought as I waited there, life is not so much about what you have gained or accomplished, but more about how you related to and touched others on the journey through it. I dont think Tommy would want us to feel depressed about his p***ing, but its hard not too, some how a piece of my hot rod life is missing. I can only find comfort in thinking, his pain is over and hes in a wonderful place now. And I hope we meet up again someday old friend.
I hate to say it but! I was there tonight !! Have lost a friend or two but, I guess you know they are real friends when you cry like a baby about them!! Tommy!! See You Soon!!!
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