Earlier this month, on April 8, 2022, Homer Thomas passed away. The news hit me hard because of how much Homer meant to me professionally and personally.
I vividly recall the first time we met on April 23, 2001. I had started a new job, and one of my first assignments was to drive to Arlington, Texas to meet Homer and his team at T-Tec Sales. They were my employer’s new independent sales reps in Texas and a couple of other states. I had been told that there was a two-tier pay system that basically paid me better if I won new business for the company directly instead of through Homer’s group. If T-Tec brought in the business, it was not as lucrative for me. This was obviously a challenging system.
The reason for my meeting with Homer was for us to determine which accounts we would pursue together and which I would pursue directly. Homer knew this before the meeting started. With his team seated around the conference table, we introduced ourselves and broke the ice. I then said, “Well, my manager has asked us to get together to determine which accounts you guys will pursue.”
Homer had been in business for a long time by this point and had hundreds of companies and contacts in his Act! database. He reached down in his briefcase and pulled out a thick report bound with a binder clip that contained all their data. He tossed it on the table where it landed with a thud. With a twinkle in his eye and a wry smile on his face, Homer said, “There’s mine. Where’s yours?” Everyone laughed, including me. That began a great working relationship that turned into a friendship. We pursued everything together despite the other incentive.
It was largely because of Homer’s encouragement that I started Baselodge in 2006. At that point I had worked with him and several other rep firms enough to believe that this was a better fit for me. Throughout the sixteen years since, Homer has been a valuable mentor to me. There are issues that only an experienced rep can help with, and he never steered me wrong.
Some of my fondest memories revolve around trips to his long-time principal Chicago White Metal (CWM). By the time he and I met, Homer had already had a long relationship as the Texas rep for CWM. His close friendship with the Treibers was obvious to all, and his fondness for Mike Dimitroff, Tom Mroc, and the rest of the staff at CWM was genuine. When he retired, Homer brought me into that rep relationship. We enjoyed being their reps for many years. I was very happy that during the time my daughter worked for me, she got to accompany me to CWM for a sales meeting. This allowed her to be around Homer as well.
Homer was a great storyteller. He regaled me with tales of narrow boating in England and a sailing trip to Alaska. He was nearly always happy and smiling or laughing. He is the sole reason that I hope to be able to experience the English canals in a narrow boat one day.
Homer was also a great friend to many. I have known him for a very short time compared to so many that have had longer relatonships. Despite that, he always treated me like a part of his inner circle. That meant a lot to me. I know his family was of great importance to him. He spoke of them often. I know his death has left a large void in their lives.
In addition to my wonderful memories of Homer, there are two things I will continue to treasure:
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Homer’s Desk Before Homer and Betty left their Austin ranch years ago, he asked me if I wanted his desk. It is heavy, and he did not want to move it. It had some battle scars and wasn’t perfect, but I gladly accepted it. It is still my desk, and to me it is perfect. I am so happy that I said yes.
- The other thing I will continue to treasure is my last conversation with him. It was March 22, 2022, just seventeen days before his passing. I had a specific thorny situation to discuss with him related to my business. Always the faithful mentor, he told me what I needed to hear. That was about five minutes worth of conversation. The rest of our time was him telling me that he and Betty had moved to Blanco and how much they loved it. They were closer to family and loving the Texas Hill Country. He was delighted at how many friends had already visited their new place and how many others were interested in coming. He invited Margot and me to come visit. We planned to.
I am also glad that I continue to work with my colleagues Kurt Young and Bernie and Melissa Sargent. We all met through Homer and T-Tec. Through Homer I also met Don Ott and Charles MacGregor.
Margot and I send our heartfelt sympathy to Betty, Ryan, Bethany, and the rest of the Thomas family.