In Remembrance ...

January 8, 1940 - May 5, 2023

It is with deep sadness that I write to inform you of the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Tommy Thompson. Tommy had been battling an illness for some time, and it is with heavy hearts that we must bid him farewell.

Tommy was an exceptional individual, with a heart full of kindness and a smile that could light up any room. His dedication to the school bus industry and his infectious enthusiasm will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He was a true inspiration to many, and his legacy will live on through the memories he has left behind.

Tommy was born on January 8, 1940. Tommy graduated from Fullerton Union High School in 1958 and immediately went to work as a school bus driver for Fullerton Union High School District under the direction of Shorty Keller. After a few years Tommy purchased his own small fleet of Crown School Buses which bared the name Thompson Transportation and he served not only schools but private youth groups and churches as well. He would be the overnight driver and would sit down and eat breakfast with the groups he transported. He later sought employment with the Fullerton Fire Department becoming a Fire Inspector and Arson Investigator for many, many years until his retirement. He was a founding father of the CASTO. Shorty Keller asked Tommy to attend a meeting that would be the first meeting of CASTO in 1958. He remained a very proud and dedicated Honorary Life Member for the remainder of his life. Tommy would present his “Smoking Bus” presentation at hundreds of school bus driver workshops up and down the state. He touched so many lives training bus drivers how to properly evacuate a bus filled with smoke.

As we come to terms with this loss, we take comfort in knowing that Tommy lived a full and meaningful life, touching the lives of many people along the way. He will always be remembered for his selflessness, unwavering commitment to his work, and warm and generous spirit.

Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with Tommy's loved ones at this difficult time. We understand the pain and sorrow that comes with the loss of a loved one, and we extend our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved Tommy.

December 7, 1945 to December 28, 2022

INTRODUCTION

“MONUMENT BUILDING”

I am a father, husband, corporate trainer, professional speaker, fly-fisherman, incurable pack-rat, Michael Bolton wannabe and, until three years ago, did not give a rip about yellow school buses.  Maybe you are like me. These bright, yellow wheeled-whales would sometimes yuk up my commute to and from the office with their staccato stops, flashing lights and interminable wait for little, pencil legs to jump off that last metal step. I did not hate... or love these yellow, bouncing buckets of bolts touting their finger painted messages to me on fogged windows.

While providing a keynote address in San Diego for the California Association of School Transportation Officials (CASTO), my attitude toward school buses permanently changed. As a matter of fact, I had a conversion experience!  A group of leaders from CASTO asked to have breakfast with me the day following my address. This was the second time I had spoken for this group and they immediately started the bagels around the table with congratulations on both the content and delivery of my address. I was appreciative; but clients normally do not take me to breakfast to hand out bouquets.

Once the sausage and eggs were history, we got down to the purpose of our meeting. I quickly found out that the safety of children in California was being compromised because money for buses was being redirected to other “pressing” educational needs.  I was interested but not convinced. I asked for specifics. Two school districts in California had actually eliminated bus transportation for children (which was reversed when outraged parents demanded reinstatement for elementary children); walking distances had been extended to five miles in some communities; unregulated “van services” were becoming the new California growth industry; and unattended six and seven year olds were boarding public transit buses.

The clink and clank of china cups sliding into indented saucers was the only noise for a while. Then I asked, “What does this have to do with me?” These new friends asked if I would design and implement a public awareness program throughout California about the safe and smart choice to put our children on yellow school buses.  I promised I would think about the offer because, at the time, I did not need another professional “challenge.” There would have to be a compelling reason, beside making more money, to become a crusader for a vehicle which, in my opinion, just made my commute longer. School buses are just there but they are not a cause!

Then I had a birthday. I inched up to the big 50. Both of my kids were in college or graduate school icing careers with great grades and stellar recommendations. My thirty year marriage was content and comfortable (we were well past the “who left up the lid?” and “I used to make you laugh” stages). And my business was doing so well I could not find time on my calendar to get a haircut. But, I still needed to build a monument!

It is my personal opinion that once you get through mid-life crisis, the next stage of life is what I call “monument-building.” This is the time when scooping up money and mementos pales in contrast to leaving something intangible which will scream, “Cal LeMon was here.”

So I’m writing this book and investing myself in school transportation for a very selfish reason – this is one of my monuments. I have been building monuments through my kids, my church and my friendships; but, I wanted to build something more than jus a company. Safely transporting children to and from school sounds like a great way to us up a life.

We give flapping lip service as to how “our children are our future” and they are “our best natural resource;” but all of that is so much sloppy sentimentality unless we ensure their physical safety.  I, like you, want to find meaning in my work. Part of my work is to inform you that yellow school buses are the safest and smartest form of ground transportation for our children. When we make other choices, we compromise our verbal commitment to our children.

So, for the past three years I have immersed myself in the specifics of “compartmentalization,” the requirements for CDL-qualified drivers, “fuel-tank integrity” and an encyclopedia of “bus things” (as my kids call it).  Who, among my friends and family, would have believed this subject could be one of the passions of my later life? Well, yellow school buses have actually taken me for a ride. The ride has been to a place where I can . . .build a monument.

Please read “UNREPORTED MIRACLES” for what it is: a call to make a safe and smart choice for the safety of all children. Is there a better legacy for any of us?

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Writing a book is the hardest work I do. The transformation of thoughts into words has, alternately, exhilarated and exhausted me. This endeavor, I can assure you, is not a one-man-show.

So, it is with genuine thanksgjving that I thank and celebrate the following people and organizations.

To the members of the CASTO Public Awareness Committee: Don Fowler, Doug Snyder, Larry Laxson, and Verna Borders- thank you for teaching me how to ''bleed yellow."

To the manufacturers and contractors: AmTran Corporation, A-Z Bus Sales, Blue Bird Bus Corporation, California Bus Sales, Laidlaw Transit, Navistar International Transportation Corporation, Ricon Corporation, Santa Barbara Transportation, and Thomas Built Buses-thank you for teaching me that safety is your business.

To Karen and Robin - thank you for so gracefully dealing with the bytes, bits and bloopers of my office.

To Charlie Gauthier, Executive Director, National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services-thank you for keeping me honest with your incredible willingness to edit this work.

To Bill Paul, Editor, School Transportation News-thank you for promoting school bus public awareness with your press and personal passion.

And to the school bus drivers and pupil transportation officials I have met across the U.S. and Canada-thank you for giving parents everywhere the incredible safety record to refer to your work as, unreported miracles.

Obituary

Dr. Calvin Paul LeMon born December 7, 1945 died December 28, 2022 at age 77 in Springfield, Missouri surrounded by his family as he passed on to his eternal home in Heaven. He is survived by his spouse, Kathy LeMon; daughters, Daphne Ondr (Jeff) and Niki Miroslaw (Mike); grandchildren, Nick Ondr, Zachary Ondr, Barrett Winslow, Liam Winslow, Max Miroslaw, Pete Miroslaw, and Helen Miroslaw.

Cal was born to Marie and Robert LeMon in Niagara Falls, NY. He lived his childhood years in New Jersey with siblings Charlene, Bob and Carl.  He met Kathy at Evangel College and they were married in 1967 in Niles, OH.

Cal attended Evangel College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Hamilton, MA followed by Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California for his Doctorate in Ministry. He served as chaplain at Harvard University, pastored churches in Cambridge, MA as well as Springfield, MO. He moved to corporate training with National Seminars in 1987 followed by starting his own consulting firm, Executive Enrichment. He enjoyed speaking and writing books and continuing to preach throughout his career.

Cal was always ready to flash a warm and inviting smile, had a knack for making people feel at ease with engaging conversation wrapped with humor and joy. He loved his grandchildren on whom he doted endlessly and attended every event that celebrated a birthday, sporting event, or achievement that honored them.

Cal instilled the love for the magic of Christmas, travel, great music, pasta and family time into all the family who loves him so much. He will be dearly missed by his shih tzu companion Hippocrates Lambchop.

Celebration of life service will be held 11 AM with a visitation at 10 AM on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Schweitzer Church under the care of Gorman Scharp Funeral Home, Inc.

In lieu of flowers please donate to Convoy of Hope, P O Box 1125, Springfield, MO 65801 as this charity was close to Cal as an outreach on local and global scale.

Cal's service was recorded and can be viewed here.

Below is the link to Cal’s celebration of life.

https://vimeo.com/792402359/6d41352cb3

Justin Gregori | Chapter 13
West County Transportation

Matt Sousa | Chapter 13
West County Transportation

Kristy Johnson | Chapter 14
Visalia Unified School District

February 12, 2021

In memory of Patricia "Patty" Suarez, who unexpectedly passed away from COVIC-19 complications on February 12th, 2021.  Patty played a bid role in the transportation industry always positive, upbeat and ready to help out especially at the weekend ROADEO bus driving competitions.  She will be missed greatly.

January 19, 2019

Hello Pam, As usual I was reading the obituary page to be sure that I am not in them when I saw this announcement.  As you know Elmer was a Charter member of CASTO, Chapter 2 He was co-chair of the 1973 conference with Dick Fisher. He was Co-Chair of the 1978 conference with Dick Fisher. He was the Chair of the 1986 conference. CASTO should send flowers or cards to the family and if some representative from CASTO could attend the service I am sure it would be appreciated. Perhaps you can send this out on the CASTO E-mail. I would go, however the Fullerton Fire Department has a Swearing In Ceremony on the same day as Elmer's services and at the same time. Thank you, The obit was in the Santa Ana Register, Saturday edition.

- Thomas Thompson