A Giant walks among us
Thanks, Fessor. I was overwhelmed to receive this award. Tommy Thomason was a legend in our local bar and I am
honored to be associated with his legacy. Tommy was a Paladin himself, having served as Furman’s Lawyer for many years. In fact, he was instrumental in leading Furman thru the legal landmines involved in Furman’s separation from the Baptists in the early 90’s.
The Tommy Thomason Award
The Tommy Thomason Award was established by the Greenville County Bar Association in 1993 in memory of Greenville attorney Tommy Thomason. The award is given to honor a Greenville lawyer whom best exemplifies the wonderful qualities Tommy embodied:
compassionate and sensitive to all people regardless of their station in life;
friendly, unassuming, humble with a warm, genuine and abiding faith in all people;
strong personal values, optimism and faith;
positive diplomacy that works to minimize conflict and resolve disputes in the least hostile manner;
unshakable integrity, coupled with an instinct for fairness;
dedicated to community interest, public service and improvement of the community;
loves the practice of law and pursues the practice as a service to people;
dedicated to the improvement of the legal system and justice for all people;
widely respected and admired by peers for personal and professional achievement.
Tommy Embodied
B.O. “Tommy Thomason” (1926-1993) was a beloved attorney who practiced in Greenville for over 40 years. A graduate of Furman University and the University of Virginia School of Law, Mr. Thomason joined the Greenville firm of Love, Thornton, Arnold in 1952. “He served in the state legislature, was appointed a Special Circuit judge and was a longtime Thirteenth Circuit solicitor. As legal counselor to Furman University starting in 1976, he worked tirelessly for the university, especially during its struggle for independence from the South Carolina Baptist Convention in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Two governors—Dick Riley and Carroll Campbell—awarded him the Order of the Palmetto. It was also said that whenever anything good was done in Greenville, Tommy Thomason was involved. His friend and colleague Dick Riley referred to his character as almost saintly.” (p. 132).
The Tommy Thomason Award was established by the Greenville County Bar Association in 1993 in memory of Greenville attorney Tommy Thomason. The award is given to honor a Greenville lawyer whom best exemplifies the wonderful qualities Tommy embodied:
compassionate and sensitive to all people regardless of their station in life;
friendly, unassuming, humble with a warm, genuine and abiding faith in all people;
strong personal values, optimism and faith;
positive diplomacy that works to minimize conflict and resolve disputes in the least hostile manner;
unshakable integrity, coupled with an instinct for fairness;
dedicated to community interest, public service and improvement of the community;
loves the practice of law and pursues the practice as a service to people;
dedicated to the improvement of the legal system and justice for all people;
widely respected and admired by peers for personal and professional achievement.
Tommy Embodied
B.O. “Tommy Thomason” (1926-1993) was a beloved attorney who practiced in Greenville for over 40 years. A graduate of Furman University and the University of Virginia School of Law, Mr. Thomason joined the Greenville firm of Love, Thornton, Arnold in 1952. “He served in the state legislature, was appointed a Special Circuit judge and was a longtime Thirteenth Circuit solicitor. As legal counselor to Furman University starting in 1976, he worked tirelessly for the university, especially during its struggle for independence from the South Carolina Baptist Convention in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Two governors—Dick Riley and Carroll Campbell—awarded him the Order of the Palmetto. It was also said that whenever anything good was done in Greenville, Tommy Thomason was involved. His friend and colleague Dick Riley referred to his character as almost saintly.” (p. 132).
Congratulations! It has been a blessing to get to know you more through our love of Furman basketball.