of Little Rock, AR

December 1, 1942 - October 2, 2023

Thomas W. Case
December 1, 1942-October 2, 2023

Standing 6'5'' tall with a full head of hair, a mellifluous baritone voice and an easy, sweet-natured temperament, Thomas Weldon Case had a talent for making people feel special. Whether he'd known you for 4 minutes or 40 years, his tender smile and generosity of spirit radiated that warmth to all who encountered him. But those who knew him best will tell you that his greatest treasure was the enormous love and pride he felt for his family.

Born on December 1st, 1942 to Xenia, Ohio ''Rose Queen'' Beatrice K. Case and telecommunications pioneer, Weldon W. Case, ''Tommy'' and his younger brother, Bill, were the shining stars of their idyllic Hudson, Ohio neighborhood. Like most '50s teens, the handsome Tom had a keen interest in cars and girls, but everyone agrees that, at his core he was a ''born telephone man.''

When Tom's grandfather, Weldon Wood, bought Hudson's existing telephone service in the early 1900s and in 1910, merged it with his new enterprise, the ''Hudson Underground Phone Company,'' he was laying the groundwork for what would become a telecommunications empire. After returning from his WWII post in the Army Signal Corps, Tom's father, Weldon Case, assumed management of the company, now called Western Reserve - its practices and acquisitions would expand exponentially under his leadership. It was during this time that young Tommy started wiring together phone lines of his own in the Case family's basement. ''There were cables and wires and old 'candlestick' phones everywhere,'' says Bill. ''It was really something.''

The company flourished under Weldon's charge, eventually becoming the Midwest's first major telecommunications conglomerate: Mid-Continent Telephone Company. By the late '50s, Tom, had begun the dangerous work of stringing phone lines for the company. Tales of icy tumbles into deep snow banks from gale-force winds battering tall poles were not unusual and likely served as the seedbed for the many entertaining stories that Tom would tell over the years about everything from ''Old Hudson'' to his work as an ambulance driver (he delivered a baby once), his car/motorcycle/anythingwithwheels adventures with his beloved cousin, Nelson ''Nel Junior'' Case, his date with Dorothy Hamill (yes, that Dorothy Hamill) and his famous ''ladder-truck convoy takeover'' of a big casino in Las Vegas that wasn't paying its phone bills (spoiler alert: Tom and his trucks prevailed). He was a terrific storyteller.

During a brief tenure as a student at Kent State University, Tom met Sandra K. Williams, a bright, fetching young woman from Akron who shared his humor and ambition. Following a brief courtship, the couple eloped to Monroe, MI as they were too young to be granted a marriage license in their home state without parental consent. They continued in their studies for a time, while Tom drove an ambulance to sustain their new home in Hudson. First-born child, Wendy Alyson, arrived a year later with son, Robert Weldon, following 4 years after. At Sandy's urging, Tom explored a corporate position with Centel Telephone Company in North Carolina. The couple left Ohio for Asheville, where Sandy's talents for finding interesting real estate landed them in a spectacular gatehouse to the Biltmore Mansion. Tom, who often had to travel for work, loved to come home at night with small presents for Wendy and Rob, which he would often deliver by sneaking up on everybody through the dark cavernous manse with a flashlight under his chin illuminating a ghoulish grin. The kids shrieked with delight, mom just shrieked.

Several moves and many changes unfolded for the young family in NC. By 1974, Tom and Sandy split. That year, Tom moved to Las Vegas to go to work for the family business, which by now had become a groundbreaking avatar of cellular technology named Alltel. Tom was joined in Nevada by his best friend, Roger Dobb, a fun-loving comrade in Vegas life and a trusted colleague throughout Tom's professional career. Now a primary in the company, Tom brought Roger with him through every evolution of his telephone career. It was Roger Dobb who called Tom one day to report that he was looking at an apartment in Vegas when he encountered a beautiful woman who had come to show him the place. Roger managed to get the statuesque blonde's phone number and called his friend immediately. ''Don't wait, Tom,'' Roger said. ''You really need to meet this girl!'' It was an auspicious start to a love story that would grow and sustain for the remainder of Tom's life. Recently divorced and making a life for herself and her young daughter, Linda Ramsey was a tall, winsome Texan who cooked like Martha Stewart and looked like a '70s fashion model. Tom was still in the dating pool when things started to get serious with Linda. But when she made clear that two could play that game, Tom wised-up and made it official. The couple married in 1979, with Tom legally adopting Linda's daughter, Michelle, in 2000. Tom's career brought the family to Walnut Creek, CA and eventually to Little Rock, AR, where Tom and Linda built a stunning home.

Tom's business acumen, attention to detail and interpersonal warmth allowed him to ascend to the highest ranks at Alltel. Like his father before him, Tom was also named president of USITA, the US Independent Telephone Association. One of his great work achievements was to form an organization called Mobile Link. In the early days of Alltel, cellular companies charged users for roaming. His idea created an agreement with all wireline carriers to allow free roaming on each others' systems. This adaptation is why users can now enjoy nationwide service at no extra fee.

Tom enjoyed his time at Alltel in Little Rock and eventually retired there. He dedicated his leisure time to collecting and restoring antique cars (a lifetime passion), traveling in his motor home with Linda, dabbling in various business enterprises and enjoying family life. In 2010, Tom experienced a barbershop epiphany that led him to be Saved by the living blood of Christ. Tom, Linda and his Arkansas family gave their lives over to the service of the Lord and Tom eventually became a Deacon at his church. The family has stayed active in their devotion to Christ - and Michelle, a registered nurse, became Tom's primary caregiver as he moved toward the light of God's infinite love. She is an aspect of his final story that generates enormous gratitude from all who loved him.

A blessing of Tom's infirmary is that he was able to enjoy good cognitive function all the way through to the end. It was clear that the most important thing for him was to impart to his children and grandchildren the enormous pride he felt in their accomplishments, career-wise and as human beings. He marveled at Wendy's unusual career trajectory as an artist, journalist, professional touring musician and ultimately, psychotherapist/art therapist. He helped her navigate the choppy waters of the business world when she needed it and reveled in her joy as she and husband, Ross Westerbur, worked tirelessly on building their little cabin in Good Hart, MI. He often teased Wendy about the badger that lives on the property: ''Is the Badger coming to dinner tonight? Are you guys making badger stew?'' And he loved to tease Ross, who works in computer technologies for Ford in Detroit: ''Hey, when can I have my flying car? Is it done yet?''

Rob Case shares Tom's love of automobiles, planes, tractors, boats and anything that floats, flies or gets you from one place to another. He followed his mother (a retired US Air captain) into a career in aviation, becoming a Captain for NetJets, where he flies internationally ferrying heads of industry and finance, former presidents, movie stars, rock stars and anyone else who can access the company's exclusive services. Rob describes his dad as ''my best friend''. The two were able to enjoy a bond later in life that would have them talking, sharing ideas, telling stories and laughing well into the night pretty much anytime they came together. Rob, who lives in Miami with his partner, Yvonne Vasquez, brought three lovely, talented, capable granddaughters into Tom's life with his former wife, Jennifer: Bridget, Katarina and Lilly - all of whom have flooded Tom and Linda's hearts with love since the moment they arrived. Once cute little kids, they have grown into remarkable young women of whom we are all very proud.

Michelle and her husband, Tracey Jones, are the anchors that have allowed Tom to enjoy the kind of family life that he always dreamed of. Michelle's tenderness with Tom and her wacky sense of humor, were the perfect antidote to a lifetime of battling it out in the corporate world. It was Michelle who held the phone so Wendy and Rob could convey their love to their father as he faced his final journey. She carefully interpreted every word he said so he could be understood. In Michelle, Tracey and Linda, Tom found his greatest comfort and loving peace. When Tracey and Michelle's son, Hunter, was born, the child became the joyful, stabilizing force that the family orbited around. Now Hunter is a practicing dentist and in wife, Caroline, has found his own family - lovers of Christ who are certain to bring peace to those who await the glorious reunion with their beloved Tom.

A final thought from Tom's brother, Bill, speaks to the heart and spirit with which Tom lived his life. Beyond their status as siblings was a genuine affection and mutual support - a friendship that lasted a lifetime. Bill, father to Hadley Henriette and husband, to Lisa Case, is a retired lawyer who lives with his wife in North Carolina. He spoke with Tom nearly every week throughout his life.

''He was a really smart guy - and he was a great brother,'' says Bill. ''He really loved his family. I'm going to miss him.''


A celebration of his life will be held at 3:00pm Wednesday, October 11, 2023 with Pastor Greg Kirksey officiating in the sanctuary of the Church at Rock Creek, 11500 W 36th Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72211.

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