Written by Julie Baxter
Franklin County Library lost a great friend on July 21st. Tom Wilkinson was a beloved fixture in Mt. Vernon and at Franklin County Library.
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| May 11, 1932 - July 21, 2021 |
I have been struggling with what to say about my friend Tom. I first met Tom when I started at the library 13 years ago. Every morning he would make his rounds in town. He would show up here mid-morning and spend an hour or two with the newspaper or his current book. As I got to know him I found him to be an intelligent, well-read, and well-informed gentleman. He could converse on just about any topic. He talked movies with Chance, theater with Christian, and books with me. He preferred classic literature, and loved all things Russian. Occasionally, he would read something a little more modern on the recommendation of a friend, but invariably returned to the classics. When I started this blog, he was very supportive and quickly became a regular contributor. His "Tom's Two Cents" columns are still available to read and show both the wide range of his interests and the depth of his thinking. Prior to Covid he led a book discussion group here at the library and covered War and Peace, Lonesome Dove, and Gone With the Wind. A retired librarian himself, he was a great supporter of Franklin County Library and contributed in many ways over the years, but he never wanted to be publicly acknowledged for it. I think that is true for many of the organizations in Franklin County.
Over the years, Tom became a good friend to me. He had a love/hate relationship with technology, so I became his go-to for tech help. I kept everything going for him and he brought me plants. I always told people he gave me more credit than I deserved for keeping the plants alive. I needed lots of help to keep them watered and thriving. The last plant he gave me, a money tree, is still doing well. Hopefully, it will stay healthy. I think of Tom every time I see it. I will miss him.
