Extremely Sad News For Me!

[handejector]

I hate to hear this. A lot of life went out of Bobby when his wife died. We lost his company for the most part then because he posted here much less frequently. I think that was a loss for him, and I know it was for us. Via con Dios, Bobby. We miss you.
fat tom

 

[47knuckle]

So sorry to hear. I called Bobby mid-December and asked if I could stop by and visit with him (I’m about an hour away). We talked for a while and he said he said he just was not “ up to it” but would call when he felt a little better. I never got that call.

Bobby Thomas and Charlie Sides- two great friends that I met because of the Smith and Wesson Forum. I got to hunt, attend gun shows, swap firearms, and many times just sit around and talk with them. Save me an easy chair in Heaven boys- don’t know when yet, but I’ll be there to catch up on old stories with you.

 

[16thVACav]

So sorry to hear of this.

 

[smitholdtimer]

RIP "Fat Tom"

First Charlie Sides and now Bobby Thomas, both of whom I considered friends. I too noticed less posts from Bobby and no Email but was unaware of the reason until now. "boykinlp" I surely appreciate knowing but saddened by the news. Condolences to Bobby's family, I was fortunate to meet his grandson Ben. A very nice young man. RIP Bobby!

 

[old bear]

Fat tom, and I were quite close. The world has lost a decent and carrying person.
Bobby, you and Ann are together again. May both of you rest in peace. You will be missed my friend.

 

[boykinlp]

Really sad to hear.

We would pm each other on occasion when he was posting regular. He really liked nickel K22s. I hope he finds some peace being reunited with his wife. Sometimes the forum really brings me sadness.

paplinker, the first time I met Bobby in person was to buy a nickel K22 from him. He actually had a pair with ivory grips. This was about 15 years ago. Bobby invited me to pick up the revolver in person because he had some vintage leather that he thought I would like to see. I drove from my hometown to Sumter to pick it up. His wife, Anne, was out and about so I visited Bobby and his Dachshund. We sat in his den just talking about everything….his family, my family, our hunting adventures, many of his were beginning to include his grandson Ben, and our times at Clemson and what was going on there at the time. Then we moved to his “gun room”. I looked around the room while he opened his safe. He had a lot of vintage leather holsters on display with other cool things including grips.

He pulled the nickel K22’s out of the safe. I knew that the nickel had been done by Ford’s of Florida, and it was fantastic! He told me the story of the gun. He had an uncle that had been the one to teach him about guns, hunting, etc. His uncle’s favorite gun was a blued K22 Masterpiece from the 50’s I think. Bobby had inherited this gun at his uncle’s passing. He loved it, but it was pretty well beat up. He and his uncle had always talked about how cool a nickel K22 would be. They never bought an original (big bucks) or had one refinished. So, in remembrance of his uncle, he sent the K22 to Ford’s in Florida. It came back and he loved the work done. He loved it so much that a few years later he sent another one to them. His uncle’s gun was a four line address one, but the second one was earlier and had the single line address. He had told me that the last gun he would part with was his uncle’s refinished nickel K22, but he would sell his other one without the ivory grips. He still had the original grips. Both guns were gleaming with their ivory grips. While I inspected his uncles gun, he removed the ivory from the other K22 and installed the original Magna grips on it.

He handed it to me and it looked spectacular! The nickel was perfect, the sights were blued as was the ejector star, and the proud front sight pin was even blued too. The case colors on the trigger and hammer were also great. The original walnut Magna grips were dark in color but with a visible grain. The dark grips on the nickel revolver were a perfect contrast. I knew that I was going to buy it before I left my house, but seeing it in person just cemented my decision. Bobby showed me many of his prized guns and holsters, and I left for the ride home, with my new prize and knowing that I had a friend for life. A couple of years later, he said that he had something to tell me that would probably make my day. He said that he thought it was time for the ivory grips to be reunited with my Nickel K22! OH, HAPPY DAYS!! I made the drive back down to his house for another visit and prize pick up. I made one more visit before I found out I had cancer, and after successful surgery, didn’t do any more long drives. I looked through my old pictures and actually found the pictures that Bobby sent to me showing the Nickel K22, and a picture I took of one of his holsters while I was visiting. The “jockstrap” holster pattern was the favorite for both of us, and this one was a real gem. RIP Bobby, and thanks for the memories!
Larry

 

[tripledipper]

You are a special person to relate your personal experiences with Bobby for all of us who just knew him as a Forum contributor. Thank you for sharing.

 

[chuckie]

So sad to hear this, R.I.P. Bobby.