Tommy's Early Adventures

When Glendale School was being built in 1923, Tommy walked down to watch the progress. The workmen liked Tommy and designated him as their official 'water boy.' One of the pipe fitters took Tommy home with him for the weekend. The workman lived in Raleigh and this was a memorable experience for this country boy.

In 1924, Guy, 14, and Tommy, 9, decided to build a Ferris wheel out of Henry's lumber. They carried the lumber into woods along with a saw; hammer and nails Eventually Henry missed his lumber and told Frances that he was going to woods to see what boys were up to. Henry found the boys trying out the Ferris wheel made from the wood. Henry shook his head as he looked at his very best lumber now in many pieces. Immediately Henry required them to dismantle the Ferris wheel and return the pieces back to the barn.

Family Moves and Changes

Walter was restless and moved his family quite often. Once they moved to Ocala, Fla., then on to Alabama. Uncle Josiah's brother-in-law lived in Alabama. Walter and family stayed a month before heading back to NC right before Christmas.

In 1927, Walter moved his family to Durham, N.C. Dillie died in November of 1927 and Essie, Sadie and Tommy moved from Durham back to Johnston County and lived with Aunt Lillian Stancil Creech for a short time.

Walter rented a place in Selma and worked painting houses, Tommy entered school there. Walter met 16 year old Louise Wallace who lived on a nearby farm. The courtship was short and they were secretly married.

Life in the 1930s

In 1930, Louise and Walter lived in the Wilson Mill Community of Johnston County. Walter was a tenant farmer.

A Selma School music teacher recognized Tommy's talent and took him under her wing. She took Tommy to the Kiwanis club for musical programs in Selma. When he got older, the Glee Club went to Raleigh to put on Radio Shows.

Tommy spent one summer with Uncle Leonard Stancil and Aunt Maycell in Washington, D.C. Leonard was a barber.

Tommy graduated from Selma High School. He was smart but had no money for college. Walter had no extra money.

Tommy's Singing Career

Tommy's singing career flourished in Durham. Tommy met Benny Cash. They formed a successful duo. They were known as the 'Aristocrats of Harmony'. Tommy supported himself by working as a sandwich maker at the Broadway Sandwich Company at 201 Jackson in Durham.

Charlie Kontz invited them to New York City. Soon Tommy and Benny had engagements in New York City and New Jersey. They sang popular songs. Tommy lived in New York but he was booked in Miami during the winters. He had a radio show in Miami, sponsored by a company in Dayton, Ohio, who made a headache powder. Tommy spent eight years traveling wherever he was booked.

Marriage and Family

In 1941 he was singing in Miami Beach at Phil Jordan's Night Club. He saw Georgianna Olson, 25, sitting in the audience and was smitten. She was beautiful, looking just like Alice Fay. Tommy sent flowers to her table. This whirlwind romance lasted three weeks. They married on March 25, 1941, in a Miami Church with her parents in attendance. Tommy's next engagement after Miami was in New Orleans. He completed his Miami commitment and then traveled with his bride to Michigan.

Georgianna grew up in Grayling, Michigan. Georgianna's parents were George N. and Leilah M. Olson. George was a proprietor of a Rialto Theatre, 302 Michigan Ave., Grayling, Mich., according to the 1930 Census.

George and Leilah married in 1915. Leilah was born in New York in 1895. George was born in 1892 in Michigan.

George was the son of Marie C. and Nels P. Olson. Marie was born in Denmark in 1865, and came to the United States in 1882. Nels was born in Denmark in 1850, immigrated in 1870. They both became naturalized citizens, Nels in 1885. The date for Marie is unknown. Nels worked in the pinewoods of Manistee County, Mich., in 1880 Census and at the Stronach Lumber Works.

Nels served as the band director for the Grayling Citizens Band in the early 1900. They met the train when it came in.

Nels and Marie married in 1883, settled in Michigan. Marie gave birth to thirteen children, seven were living in 1910 Census: Anna born in 1884, Espern born in 1890, George born in 1892, Haldemas born in 1895, Ernest born in 1898, Ruby E. born in 1902, Lester J. born in 1906.

They owned a house in Grayling Village, of Crawford County, Michigan. Nels was the director of a Barning Company. George attended college. Haldemes, Ernest, and Ruby were enrolled in school. Lester was the only child in school in 1920. Nels was a real estate agent and Haldemas, managed a Picture Show in Grayling. Nels had retired by 1930 and worked as an electrician.

Georgianna became pregnant almost immediately. George and Leilah wanted her home. George offered Tommy a position in his chain of Rialto theatres. After careful consideration Tommy accepted.

Tommy and Georgianna had four children: Anemari born Jan. 6, 1942, Arnold Thomas born March 2, 1943, George Lee born July 30. 1948, and Phillip Justin born May 1, 1951.

Tommy's Later Years

Tommy joined the Masons like many of his kinfolks.

WWII started. The military was gearing up. Tommy worked in a Detroit, Michigan, plant wiring tanks. Then he enlisted in the US Navy and was sent to the Pacific. The ship was involved in many skirmishes and took part in the landing at Iwo Jima.

After the war he worked again for his father-in-law, managing Rialto Theatres. Tommy had a great work ethic. Like his father, Tommy was also a house painter and worked at this when he wasn't at the theatre.

Tommy expanded his management skills and ran the Grayling Country Club during the 1950s.

When son Arnie's friend Joe, was interested in the seminary, Tommy took him down to Duke and gave him a tour of Johnston County introducing him to his father, Walter and his wife Agnes.

Tommy's Career in Law Enforcement

In 1962, Tommy began working for the Marine Patrol division of the Sheriff's department. He still worked at the theater at night. It wasn't long before he became a road deputy for the Sheriff's Department. He retired as a desk Sergeant around 1977.

Selling the Rialto Theatre

In 1982, Tommy and Georgianna sold the 500-seat Rialto Theatre to their son George. In 1999, George sold the theatre to nephew Geoffrey Bichler, a lawyer who lives in Winter Park, Fla.

Georgianna's Passing and Tommy's Later Years

Georgianna died on Dec. 12, 1985. Eventually, Tommy moved in with his son Arnie. Tommy never forgot his roots. He had wonderful memories of his boyhood in North Carolina and loved sharing them.

Tommy's Final Days

Arnie moved in with Tommy as his health was declining. Tommy had decided on a DNR order. On Arnie's way home from work, he was called to come. His father was getting worse, and they thought he would not live very long. In the midst of a snowstorm, Arnie drove the five miles of hazardous driving to be with his dad. Arnie told his dad he loved him and it was alright if he let go. Tommy's last words to Arnie were "It's all about family."

Tommy's Passing and Memorial