Tom Howard Passes Away (1950-2010)
January 30, 2010
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Posted by Ray Fowler
Christian musician, Tom Howard, passed away yesterday (January 29, 2010). He was hiking with his wife at Edwin Warner Park in Nashville when he had a heart attack and could not be revived. He was 59 years old. Tom was a great pianist, composer, arranger, singer and songwriter. I first heard his music back in 1977 with his View from the Bridge project released through Larry Norman on Solid Rock Records. Here are two of my favorite songs from View from the Bridge. Enjoy, and please keep Tom’s family and friends in your prayers.
“One More Reason”
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Click “►” button to play | Length: 5:20
“All Through the Day”
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Click “►” button to play | Length: 4:16
Update: Obituary notice from The Tennessean on February 1, 2010
Thomas L. “Tom” Howard
HOWARD, Thomas L. “Tom”: Composer, Arranger, Producer, and Musician. Born February 23, 1950. Died January 29, 2010. Survived by his wife, Dori; two children, Katie and Joseph and sister, Susann (John) Anderson. Memorial Service 2 p.m. Wednesday, the 3rd day of February at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 4800 Belmont Park Terrace, Nashville, TN 37215. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Bartholomew’s. MARSHALL DONNELLY COMBS, (615) 327-1111.
Related links:
- Funeral Service: Wednesday, February 3rd, 2:00PM; St. Bartholomew’s Church, 4800 Belmont Park Terrace, Nashville TN 3721
- Facebook Group: In Memory of Tom Howard, Musician, Arranger
- Tom Howard: From Jesus music pioneer to behind-the-scenes virtuoso (great article from November, 2008 by Mike Rimmer of Cross Rhythms)
- Tom Howard Cross Rhythms Artist Profile
- Goodbye, Friend (Franklin Springs Family Media)
- Remembering Tom Howard, by John Duncan (Ligonier Ministries)
Categories: Memorial, Music
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Thank you; both these songs had a meaning for me at that time. “One More Reason” was an amazing tune that I shared with a number of folks to show there was quality in CCM, and ” All through the day” was actually used at a Camp I worked at to close the evening devotions. All I can think right now, is that he and Larry Norman are jamming “In Another Land”!
ba – I would love to be a part of that jam session! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for posting One More Reason. My all time favorite worship song ever. Seriously.
Paul – I’m with you. I find myself singing it to the Lord all the time.
Ray, I was blown away when my pastor called me to tell me of Tom’s going Home. I met Tom when he played at Ps. Loren Decker’s wedding. When Katie graduated collage, Loren called me to see if I could help Tom move her. We had a wonderful trip in my RV coach, Tom and I. He was such a humble man. We have lost a great friend. His music will live on. He is now playing a truly Grand Piano!
Tom is my cousin. He lived his calling. I will always admire him for showing us all how to do that. He and I grew up together…I remember the stars on his bedroom ceiling…now, he’s with them.
Play with the greatest now, my cousin! You live on.
Julie Paleen
All Through the Day was sung at my wedding in 1980.
Thanks for the info on Tom Howard. I was impacted in a positve way from all the “street-level” artists, including Tom.
He will be missed!
Rick, Julie, Paul and Mike – Thanks for sharing. I have been singing Tom Howard songs all day long today.
The extraordinary music of Tom, my cousin has given me hope in times of sadness and joy. As a musician and violinist I continue to share his legacy in music with others. I am extremely saddened with the news of Tom’s passing, yet grateful for all he has given to the world.
Blessings because of Jesus!
Kathy – Thank you for sharing, and please accept my condolences at the loss of your cousin. His music has meant a lot to me over the years, but I know that you and others knew him personally and the loss must be great.
Tom was instrumental in my life as a youth leader for Youth at Calvary Baptist Church in Roseville, Minnesota. His music and his gentle way of expressing the Lord’s love won our hearts. We will miss him but look forward to seeing and hearing him in heaven.
Marv – How neat to have known Tom as your youth leader! Thank you for sharing.
Well I must be the last person to get to know Tom and his music.I have seen him on Facebook and was informed tonight of what has happened to him. I trust his spirit is resting with the Lord and look forward to rejoicing with him in Heaven ! What a gift God gave ! Debbiejoy!
Debbie – Thank you for stopping by and sharing. Tom touched many people with his music.
Thank you for posting, “One More Reason.”
I read about Tom Howard passing away on Marty Goetz website.
The song “One More Reason” I have not heard for 30 years, but I love it and remembered the words!
Erich – “One More Reason” has always been one of my favorites, too.
I am so sorry to hear about Tom’s passing away. I have always enjoyed his playing and arranging. I especially enjoyed his solo piano work on Marantha. His orchestrations were always so interesting. They had a certain “signature” or sound to them where you knew that Tom had his hand in it. I am surprised that on the Wiki page (where I found out about his death) there was no mention of his work with Marty Goetz.
I was just listening to my (legal) cassette recording of Beyond the Barriers. I was inspired to track down Tom and tell him how much I enjoyed his music…that’s when I found out about his death.
I pray his family is doing okay
Wow, I was a kid in 1977 (9 years old) and my sister bought “View from the bridge.” I listened to it heaps over the next few years in my home in Wellington, New Zealand. I was driving home tonight (I’m now 42) and the words from one of the songs on the album popped into my head: “If to live means dying, to myself it’s true; I will follow, after You”. So I Google Tom’s name and hear the news of his passing. May God continue to bless the legacy of his music and comfort his family. If just one of my songs ministered to just one person in the way they did tonight, I would be truely grateful that my small musical gift was a blessing.