Hello to everyone,
My name is John Congdon and I have been helping Tom with his affairs for around 3 months now. Tom and I first met late in 1969 when he came to my hometown to teach a TM course that I was helping to organize. We have been friends and in contact on and off ever since, and much more the last two years as we both have been living in Fairfield. Most know that Tom has been suffering from Parkinson's Disease with some early symptoms appearing 5 years ago with symptoms being more evident in the last three years. Though Tom has tried many different products to help with his PD nothing seemed to help, even with treatments where others had found benefits. During the last 6 months the deterioration in his health and endurance has been quite rapid. Summer in Fairfield and Utopia Park didn't help much but the fact that Iowa's chiggers found Tom to be exceptionally tasty was the worst for him. Tom devised an escape plan of coming to Laramie, Wyoming for 10 days, where chiggers do not roam and elevation is said to help Parkinson's. I accompanied him on the trip to do the driving and heavy lifting. He wasn't bothered by any chiggers which was a big relief. However at his more advanced stage of PD he continued to weaken and spent the majority of time trying to rest which the disease had made very difficult if not impossible for him. He passed yesterday in Laramie. His 76th birthday would be on this coming September 18. Tom's wishes were to be cremated and have his ashes scattered with his parents' on his older brother's property near Eugene, Oregon. Plans are being formed to have a celebration of Tom's life in Fairfield, probably in mid September, perhaps the 18th. The actual date will be announced after arrangements are finalized.
