Joan's Tribute for George I don’t think I can add to Helen’s tribute to George only that I loved him for all he did for us as a family and I’m proud that he was my husband. He was a much loved and adored husband, Dad and Grandad. He was my husband and best friend, a friend to everyone and a true gentleman. He was a very special person, a quiet man never raising his voice, loving his family and helping anyone if he could; nothing was ever too much trouble. He was born 21st February 1933 to his Mum and Dad joining his older brother John. The family home was a three-cornered cottage not far from St. Martins Church. Not long after, the family moved to Wyndhurst Road, Yardley, Birmingham. His Mum worked at the biscuit factory whilst his Dad was a furnaceman. Of course, by the age of just nine, George and John’s lives would be overshadowed by the outbreak of the war. His Dad became an ARP warden who had to do fire watch during and after the air raids and had the unsavoury task of digging out those who had been trapped when their houses and factories were bombed. From a young age John and George had to help with housework, apparently George didn’t like polishing and so he cut the legs off the dining chairs. Times were tremendously hard for the family and for the nation in general. Things were scarce and rationing was enforced and the only release was to go to the Lickey Hills for days out and picnics. By the age of 12 George had a job as a delivery boy for the baker on his rounds for which he received the handsome reward of one shilling and sixpence, and cakes and buns for the family. George’s Dad purchased a tandem and he would ride with him on it. Later his Dad purchased a scooter which George borrowed to visit and court Joan. The scooter always ran out of petrol on his way home so he would have to push it most of the way. George often wondered if his Dad did it on purpose but it didn’t stop him from making the journey to see his lovely Joan. George left school at 14 and met up with Ken (who was our Best Man) on their first day on the Nuffield Apprentice training scheme at Common Lane. They did some of their training at Erdington Technical college. George was a clever lad and good at maths. They both finished up in the Tool Design Drawing Office. They did their National Service – George then aged 21 served as a REME in the Army and Ken in the RAF. They returned to their jobs in the Tool Design Office, which had moved to Fisher and Ludlow at the Castle Bromwich Plant and were good friends throughout this period. Charles Murray – who had a large ‘posh’ car- also worked at Fisher and Ludlow and the three became close mates. A good friend Marion introduced me to George at a West End dance party as she thought we’d be well suited for each other. How right she was. We began courting, George always bought me a pack of polo mints each time we met. We didn’t have a long courtship, we knew we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. Charles was a good organiser and before we were all married, Ken to Pam, Charles to Jean and George to myself, the six of us used to meet up at The Clock Garage in Castle Bromwich, on Saturday nights, and motor over to dances in Coventry, Leicester, and Nottingham. In later years George moved on to Ford, but the six of us and our young families had good times and super days out together for picnics and outings to attractions, such as Alton Towers- and we have always kept in touch although sadly we have lost Charles now. George took early retirement at 58 years of age but continued as a consultant engineer for Ford Motor Company and travelled abroad many times. George’s hobby was woodwork and his love for his hobby is displayed throughout our home. From designing and building a cabinet to house my sewing machine to building a wooden staircase to the loft and creating a lovely sewing and knitting room for me. He even helped my brother renovate his cottage and built the roof for him. George’s talent for making things was tremendous. George didn’t like gardening and this has always been a family joke. He said that the bloke who invented gardening should come back and finish it. The hydrangea by the front door was a particular enemy to George, attacking him each time he walked past it and one time as he was painting by it, a flower head had the cheek to dip it’s head into the paint pot and spoil the paint. George was not happy but we found it funny. I would like to thank Oak Lodge for all their love and attention they gave George, especially when he became bedridden and struggled to speak and eat. Nothing was too much trouble and family were always made welcome on our visits to see him. I thank Alan, Helen, son-in-law Al, Granddaughters Rachel and Anna and Anna’s boyfriend Josh for all their support and love. George will always be in my heart and my thoughts.

A poem for Grandad. It’s now five weeks since you passed away, but still the grief feels new, Nothing could prepare us for the pain of losing you. We now look back on memories of the cherished times we shared, With the world’s number one grandad to whom no one else compared. You helped me learn to ride a bike and taught me how to swim, You nurtured abilities in me that I know will never dim. You picked me up from school and always showed me that you care, You even let me race you around Ludlow in your wheelchair. Though times got tough towards the end as dementia crept on in, You still managed to make us smile just with your cheeky grin. And through it all it was clear to see, one thing that remained true, Was how much you adored my lovely Nan and how much she adored you. You shared a beautiful marriage that is 60 years old today, A perfect example of the kind of love we all hope to feel one day. You took on life hand in hand from the day you were bride and groom, And I’ll never forget how your face lit up whenever she entered the room. There are so many things I’ll miss about the wonderful grandad I knew, It would be impossible to write them all down, so I’ll just name a few. I’ll miss your humour and one line jokes, as outrageous as they could be. I’ll miss you telling us all to shush when you’re trying to watch TV. I’ll miss hearing your stories, and admiring how you were so wise. I’ll miss asking you if you enjoyed your lunch and being greeted with rolling eyes. I’ll miss making you 3 in 1 coffees that you always described as divine. I’ll miss your laughter and contagious smile and how they made the room shine. But mostly I’ll miss sitting by your beside and spending time together, You are so special, wonderful and dearly loved and you’ll be in my heart forever.

A tribute to Dad. Read at his funeral Thursday 25th June 2020 at 2.30pm. Samuel George Tomes 1933 - 2020. ‘George’ 60 years ago today at this hour, Mom and Dad took vows in marriage and made a commitment to each other to spend their lives together. The day Mom desperately wanted them to celebrate and the day Dad struggled, battled and fought so hard to reach - he knew how important it was to Mom. So, although unconventional as it is, they are here together for one last time on their very special day. I say ‘mission accomplished’, congratulations Mom and Dad on your Diamond Wedding Anniversary. 60 years of caring and sharing, good times and bad times. Through the happy, sad, high and low times of life, laughs, tears, accomplishments and failures all embraced or endured with unity and the exceptionally strong bond of love they have for each other. A small gathering today but so many people are thinking of us and remembering Dad with fondness, love and respect; for his kind, gentle nature and his incredible sense of humour and wit. Dad was a quiet, generous gentle Gentleman who never demanded anything from anyone. Enjoying a quiet lifestyle, proud and protective of Mom, of his children and of his granddaughters. For all our faults he loved each of us immeasurably, seen easily through the sparkle in his eyes, his cheeky grin, his cuddles and hugs and the smallest of gestures - holding hands. Dad loved to hold hands, his grip was always so tight, his way of saying ‘I’m here and I love you’. Towards the end he gained much comfort from this small gesture, knowing someone who cared deeply was close to him. Dad’s love for and devotion to Mom gave him the strength to keep fighting. He won battles of poor health many, many times even when the odds were stacked heavily against him. He had an unbelievable strength of will and courage to keep going. Mom loved Dad endlessly and her devotion to him was immense. She is such an amazing lady who took great pains to oversee Dad’s health and welfare: ensuring perfectly home cooked meals were always served, Dad loved his food. Encouraging Dad to be healthy and motivating him to be mobile and do simple tasks, even when his mind wouldn’t allow him to do so. Tending his every need when he was unable to look after himself. Nursing him with incredible care and patience (most of the time), but always with love. As a family one of the most difficult and heartbreaking decisions we’ve ever had to make was to place Dad in a care home. Dad didn’t like the idea but recognised how much Mom was struggling, always putting aside her own health and well being to care for him. So he accepted it, only ever wanting what was best for Mom. In the care home he was safe, very well cared for and treated with respect, dignity and love. For that we are so grateful and appreciative of the wonderful staff at Oak Lodge. A special thank you to Dad’s big brother, Uncle John, for his care, love and support for Dad, for Mom and for our family. Through his own health issues and the sad loss of his beloved wife, Auntie Betty, Uncle John has remained devoted and committed to supporting his little brother and made many visits to see him, offer comfort and have a chat. I must also say thank you to my big brother Alan. As he remains in the family home he has gone to great lengths to ensure Mom is safe, secure, and household affairs are managed. These things gave Dad much reassurance and comfort knowing that Joannie was being well looked after. As mentioned earlier Dad was very proud of his family, as is Mom, but they held a special pride in their son Ian, so sadly taken from us too soon. Dad couldn't accept the loss of Ian and rarely spoke of him after his death in 2016. Yet he was so proud of him for all he achieved in his lifetime, particularly for his service in the Royal Air Force; they’d talk for hours about his deployments and antics. Ian’s passing left us all broken hearted. Dad doted on his Granddaughters Rachel and Anna and they idolised him in return. The majority of their young childhood was spent with Mom and Dad due to Al and my work commitments. The girls are blessed with many special memories of their Granddad who did so much for them, nothing was ever too much trouble and only the best would do for them. Even school homework was overseen by Dad; I think he enjoyed it more than the girls did! I am truly blessed and very proud that George is my Dad, always in my heart and my memories, forever loved and never forgotten. And through my tears of sadness and loss, Dad’s voice is with me saying ‘ what you crying for, you silly wench’. He never could bear to see any of his loved ones upset. Dad, I love you, I miss you but know you will always be with me.