|
Click here to Play “A Line In The Sand” |
|
A Tribute To Our Founders |
|
Tamlyn Partners Premium Products for Professionals |
|
Jean Tamlyn / Co-Founder 1927 - 1998 |
|
Ron Tamlyn Sr. / Co-Founder 1923 - 2004 |
|
What a life! What a man! What a dad! Ron was born in 1923 in Chicago, IL, grew up in Sarasota, FL, and shortly after high school proudly served with the 4th Marine Division in WWII including the famous Battle of Iwo Jima. He understandly didn't speak much of the war except when around his close Marine buddies, and I had the honor to sit in on a few priceless sessions with these very brave men who defended our country so long ago. One lesson he hammered home with me when our family business was having problems was that business problems don't amount to anything compared to real bullets whizzing past your head. Dad had a great way of putting things in perspective. Other favorite expressions were “none of this will matter in 100 years.” and being a great, natural salesman, “ A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a sample is worth a thousand pictures.” |
|
Dad's greatest love in life other than wife Jean and the Marine Corps-- his hobby, his baby, and what kept him going-- was clearly our family business RH Tamlyn & Sons. While the company was a source of satisfaction, I believe the rollercoaster ride of operating a small family business also was unfortunately a cause of stress he didn't need at an older age that I wish I could have shielded him better from. Of course when I tried to do this he got mad for not keeping him informed at everything that was going on! I had the pleasure of working with him since 1983 along with my brothers, and this is a memory I will always cherish. Jean let Ron start the business with $800 borrowed money in a shack behind our modest home in Bellaire, Texas in 1971 when he was 48 years old--a time many people are thinking more of retirement than starting a high-risk business-- and we have been fortunate enough with the help of many loyal employees, customers, and friends to grow to shipping building products across the world. His motivation to start the company was not to conquer the world but to provide for his family of a wife and 4 hungry sons. While his way of doing things and mine differed much of the time, there was a mutual respect that cannot be denied and he allowed the company to try things that must have made him cringe. |
|
Death is a reminder that human life is not forever, death can come at any time, so tell your family and friends you love them, even more importantly spend time with them, don't let insignificant things hurt your relationships, and remember Proverbs 27:1: "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth." I am grateful dad lived to see all 4 sons graduate from college, enjoy his 50th wedding anniversary, saw the WWII Memorial dedication ceremonies from Washington, and did not suffer a long and debilitating illness, passing quickly of congestive heart failure. We did not know or have reason to believe he had any heart problems until it was too late. I would recommend all adults have regular heart scans which will let you know of any plaque build-up in your arteries and could well save your life. And so we claim Proverbs 3:5: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." |
|
Ron was a no-nonsense, results-oriented man with a temper but he was also very loving and unafraid to show emotion. From Little League president to church deacon, he set a great example of the importance of balance in life. What I will remember most is how much he loved his family and country, his company and puppy dogs, how supportive and concerned and generous he was not just with family but everyone he came in contact with, how proud he was of what we accomplished, how special he thought it was for all of us to be able to work side by side for so many years, to never never never give up, and that there are many things vastly more important than how financially successful you might be, including showing up at your children's school events and ball games, making yourself available when people need you, and the most important relationship--your relationship with our savior Jesus Christ. |
|
Although we will greatly miss our human dad every day we know he is in heaven and we will see him and mom again before too long. Like the hymn says "If the Army and the Navy ever look on heaven's scenes, they will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines!" What a life! What a man! What a dad! |
|
Jean Tamlyn graduated from SMU, raised 4 sons, helped get 2 of them academic scholarships to the prestigious Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas, got her sons through college, substituted as a school teacher, taught Sunday school for many years, and was a friend to everyone. She saw our family business grow slowly and steadily through the 1970s, experience a dramatic downturn in the 1980s when oil prices collapsed and resume growth in the 1990s. During the 1980s downturn she volunteered without pay and handled multiple jobs to help the company survive. Jean loved people and would do about anything to help someone in need - as long as they were willing to help themselves. You could not find a more fun-loving, friendly, generous, patient, understanding, honest, dependable, hard-working person than Jean Tamlyn. Tom Tamlyn / President |
|
© Copyright 2008 |
