Tommy Van Hoose was a neighborhood kid who was mentioned by Shep in his WOR broadcast of January 24, 1973. Tommy was said to be about 12 years old and could "really play the piano." Shep said Tommy played so well that he often appeared as an accompanist at school productions.
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| [ Courtesy: Steve Glazer - 02-12-2013 ]
Thomas Andrew "Tommy" Van Hoose -- son of McClellan ("Mack") and May Morris Van Hoose -- was born in East Chicago, Indiana, on March 13, 1925. In about 1935, Tommy's family moved from Gary, Indiana, to 2913 Cleveland Street in Hammond, which had been Shep's home several years earlier. Tommy served in the U.S. Navy during WWII (1943-46) as a Motor Machinist's Mate 3rd class (MoMM3c), and was onboard the aircraft carrier USS Sable as she was being decommissioned in the fall of 1945. After the war, he worked for many years at Inland Steel, rising to foreman. Tommy was twice married, first to Lois Marie Baars shortly after his Navy discharge, then on July 1, 1965, to Donna Jean Young.
Tommy was in fact very musically inclined. He played many instruments and often performed solo and in local bands. He was especially noted for his vocal rendition of "Old Shep," which was said to bring crowds of listeners to tears.
Tommy died in Cedar Lake, Indiana, on November 18, 1996, survived by Donna and two children (Thomas and Terri Rae). He was interred at Chapel Lawn Memorial Cemetery, Schererville, Indiana. |
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