My fondest memory of Tom was also one of my first experiences at TEI in 2003. Tom and I set out in his truck to look for wildlife and explore Vermejo. We promptly saw a huge bear and saw lots of other wildlife. Then, thanks to some very bad directions from the chef up at the old Costilla Lodge, we got very lost on what was more of a path than a road. Tom got us back safe and sound, and kept me entertained the whole time with his wealth of knowledge about nature, wildlife, and ranching. Somehow I felt completely safe the whole day, even when I asked if we had enough gas to try to go back the way we came and the answer was “No”. Tom was always a wonderful host and tour guide during visits to Armendaris and a pleasure to work with. I am grateful to have known him and to have had a continuing friendship with him via Facebook after he left TEI.
Let the memory of Thomas be with us forever.
Tom Waddell was born in Denver Colorado in the fall of 1942. His father/mother (Dr Emmett Waddell and Elsie Thomas Waddell) moved to Tucson Arizona in the 1950s as a general surgeon. Tom and his brothers resided on the NE side of Tucson at the Ranch. He was sent off to Boarding school in Bryn Athyn, PA in the late 1950s where he met the love of his life Linda Coffin. They married in 1962 at the age of 19….Linda worked and put Tom through school as a biologist which in turn landed him a job as a Warden with the Az Game and Fish Department. They would find themselves in Pima, Az at Cluff Ranch where they started their family. Their children Thomas, Nancy, Jessie, John, Stephanie, and Christine were all brought into this world and raised on this wildlife refuge. Tom and Linda spent 25 years in this chapter of their lives… When he retired from the AZG&F department he landed back in his childhood home in Tucson for a short two years. Retirement did not suit him and he soon found himself in New Mexico, working on the Armendaris Ranch for Turner Enterprises. He really found his life passion there as he had the knowledge and resources to truly protect the wildlife and establish healthy environments for nature. He was able to work with endangered species and the biologist in him thrived in this environment. His family would continue to grow and when he worked in New Mexico..his family grew with 17 grandchildren. He would spend 23 years on this Ranch and after retirement he would find himself back in Tucson on the family land. The remaining time of Tom’s life was in true retirement. He would celebrate 61 years of marriage to Linda and would reside next to family. His last few days of life was completing a bucket list trip. He has always wanted to see the big Sequoia Trees in CA. So the family loaded up for a long road trip to see the trees. They were beautiful and Toms eyes filled with tears when he saw how amazing the trees were. His journey of life ended on this trip in Reno, NV surrounded by his brother, wife, children, and grandchildren. He truly lived life to the fullest right up to his last breath. He will certainly be missed.
Honor Thomas
A gesture of sympathy in their memory.
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Tributes
I have many fond memories of Tom but I will never forget when he and Linda helped me on my first mountain lion capture. The capture did not go smoothly. It was the middle of the night and the Telinject dart equipment I had at that time was extremely old and the darts actually cracked and spilled the drugs when I pressurized the air chamber. Out of darts and only one dose of drug left, I ended up trying to make a jab-stick with a syringe taped on a stick. The lion bit the syringe off the stick as I jabbed and it fell at the lions feet and I could not retrieve it. I called Tom for help. He and Linda quickly showed up and we devised a plan to use a stick to loop a tow strap around the snare cable next to the lions foot. Then Tom and Linda held tension on the tow strap from a rocky bluff while I hand injected a partial dose of drug. The lion was barely sedated while I put the collar on and released the cable. That was a learning experience and none of the lion captures since then have been that exciting! Tom and Linda are holding the other end of the tow strap that the lion is chewing in the picture
This picture above (on the steps at Vermejo) was probably the first time I met Tom Waddell.
Tom was never an "in the box" thinker. He was always looking for new ideas and new ways to accomplish tasks. He was "the salt of the earth" and made it a more interesting place to be. I am happy to have known him.
I first met Tom over 15 years ago when I first started out ranching. When you're a new guy starting out you often seek out a mentor to help you navigate through the chaos. I remember like it was yesterday, Tom was that guy for me! He taught me things I didn't even know I needed. He always carried this infectious smile with him that helped keep me grounded and gave both personal and professional guidance that I will never forget. Like many who knew Tom, he will be dearly missed and certainly never forgotten. Billy Salada