Chapter Eternal

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James Justis (Toms) Tomsen
(Cincinnati, Alpha Xi ’57)

Brother Jim “Toms” Tomsen, age 70, entered Chapter Eternal on June 11, 2008. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, his family later moved to Cincinnati and he graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1963. His wife explains that he was a student at UC when she started school and was still there after she graduated. He had an unusual tenure in college – fluctuating between academic probation and the Dean’s List. School did not always come first. I don’t think anyone could remember a time, though, when his beloved Alpha Xi did not!

In 1959, Alpha Xi received the Smythe Award - there was only one award given each year in those days. Alpha Xi worked hard to achieve the Smythe Award and everyone contributed. “Toms” was the house manager and was highly respected by everyone in the chapter, especially the pledges. The house at 3400 Brookline was a showcase and Toms made sure it stayed that way. Pledges learned from day one that it was necessary to do a good job at their weekly work sessions. It was not in their best interest to disappoint the house manager. Toms was also the quarterback of Alpha Xi’s championship intramural football team. What an arm. . . he never missed his target, some of his teammates just couldn’t make the catch.

Joseph “Buzz” Volz ‘58 introduced Toms to Ann Ferguson (the couple later introduced Buzz to Gay, the woman who would become his wife). They were married in 1964. They had two children; a son, Patrick and a daughter, Jennifer. Toms was his Pike nickname. It was not his name at home. Ann had a brother named Jim and at family gatherings, two heads would turn when the name Jim was mentioned. Ann immediately began calling her husband “Tomsen” thereby solving the problem. Later on, when son Patrick invited high school friends to the Tomsen house, one of his classmates asked “Jim” a question. The response was, “you can call me Mr. Tomsen or ‘Big Cheese.’ If you are really nice you can call me BC.” The nickname BC stuck with the family and close friends - except Ann - who continued to call him Tomsen. Even his license plate was a combination of his nicknames - it read “TOMS BC.”

The 2006 Founders Day Banquet was held at the chapter house at 3400 Brookline Avenue and was billed as “Goodbye to Brookline.” The house had been the home of Alpha Xi for more than 50 years. Toms disappeared from the dining room and was found in the foyer working on the grandfather clock. He decided he would repair/rebuild it and have it ready when Alpha Xi moved into their new home. When the actives moved into the new house the following September, the treasured clock was chiming in the Great Hall.

Toms was a man who was remembered and respected. His family hosted a “Celebration of the life of Jim Tomsen” on June 16 in Dayton, Ohio. A total of 13 Pikes were in attendance; his younger brother, Tim ’61, and alums from both Dayton and the Greater Cincinnati area. Many who could not attend sent notes and emails with their condolences and each included a personal comment or story about Toms. The word love was repeated many times.

James “Toms” Tomsen will long be remembered. After the celebration of his life, Ann Tomsen commented, “I never really could figure out why he was so attached to the Pikes. I didn’t feel that way about my sorority. It was at the service that I finally understood. You are a lucky bunch of guys to have that kind of brotherhood. And Tomsen was lucky to have been part of it.”

– William Hoeb, Alpha Xi ’60