Tom Faulkner was in his prime when Allyson and I were kids at Spence Jr. High, where we met in 1965. He was very friendly, although quiet, and slow to speak until he had something to say. He was a welcoming parental figure; patient, hardworking, and loved his country music. He had only one girlfriend from the time of WWII where he served in the Merchant Marine with honor and bravery, as I know the story; his beloved wife Doris. She cooed over him and took care of him in a very loving, special way. Tom worked a lot, and had a workshop in his garage at what we called 5440 or fight, their house in those days. He could often be found reclining on the living room floor, sipping a beer, listening to country tunes on headphones. He was ahead of most of us in that respect. I got to know Hank Williams (not Jr.) from his very large and pristine collection of 78s and LPs. Tom always kept up with the news, and had a wonderful way of encapsulating his take on things with an amazing economy of words. He was markedly different in that respect from his brother, Capt. Jack Faulkner of the Dallas County Sheriff's Department. They made a very watchable pair of brothers when in the same room together, and I always loved listening to their banter. Tom taught his son Jack about small engines, and Jack rode around the neighborhood on a riding lawn mower with no blade on it; it was his go kart / golf cart. Allyson, whom Tom and Doris called Al, was the apple of Tom's eye, and it was apparent in everything he did while I knew the family. Herman, the family dog, hung out under the back of the house, and when he'd hear the doorbell, would race under the house to the front porch. Sometimes, you'd hear a loud BONG!, and then not hear from Herman for a while; plumbing pipe obstacle vs. Herman's cranium, we always guessed. I have never forgotten Tom and his ways. He was one of the most memorable and remarkable men of my lifetime. I wish him Godspeed, and all his family my deepest condolences and respect. You have a lot to be proud of in Tom Faulkner.