A Dear Friend Passes Away

On Friday night, I learned that one of my dear friends from high school passed away – Robbie Thomas.

I met Robbie when I was a Sophomore at Meridian High School in 1985 ( he was a Senior ) , and in the high school marching band. Robbie took me under his wing during summer band camp, mentored me, and showed me a love for band and music that I had not seen displayed by anyone else before. He was the Drum Major for the Meridian High School band and was a true showman. I caught the bug and love for marching band because of Robbie.

He would spend hours upon hours teaching me the finer points of marching, eventually training me and encouraging me to tryout for Drum Major. My sisters would watch the two of us throw the mace in the air for hours in our back yard, often hitting Robbie in the head . Along with others, he helped me pick a routine, pick out music, get my routine down to a beat, etc. I remember riding in his car and his helping me through choices of music. His sister, Tiffanie, beat me out – she was quite good. His enthusiasm was contagious, his love for life was unlike anything I had ever seen or experienced before – nothing could get him down.

After graduating from high school, Robbie talked me in to helping him with a children’s production of the Wizard of Oz that he was putting on at the Little Theatre. He loved being around kids, and he was clearly in his element during that production. My working with him during that production was an utter blessing.

If there was ever someone who truly embraced life and lived it thoroughly, with nothing held back, it was Robbie Thomas. His smile and joy are etched deep in my mind, and my life impacted so much for the positive because of him.

Mine is just one life that was impacted by Robbie, and the impact he had on me cannot be measured.