Tom Spicer – The Spiceman
Monday, I found out we lost a very dear person, Tom Spicer.
We all knew Tom. He was not known as a big man in terms of physical stature, but he was a big man in that he was extremely smart and talented, had a wonderful sense of humor, a big heart, was a good father, a great brother, a great friend, and I’m sure much, much more that I’m not even aware of.
It took me some time to write this, I was so incredibly heart sad. But I’m writing this as a tribute to my friend, who will be greatly missed.
He left a big impact on Dallas and on those who knew him. He knew something about everything, and a lot about a lot of things. You couldn’t help but respect him. He quite literally led a movement in Dallas for living healthier lives and eating a healthier, fresher, more plant-based diet. He had a passion for gardening, food and life. He was incredibly genuine, generous and kind.
He was a self-made man who’d risen to a very impressive level in life in many ways, in the mere years he had with us.
I hadn’t known Tom that long, but I worked on some projects with him, and we had joined forces in our love of growing and consuming beautiful, healthy plants. He was an enormous force in Dallas, providing healthy fresh food for all of us to enjoy and thrive from. He had a gift for fun, laughter, making plants grow and creating exceptional gourmet food.
When I was Larry Hagman’s chef and nutritionist, I’d go to Tom’s to get the freshest organic foods I could. It was always such a delight to go back into his garden and see what he was growing at the time. It was a magical garden. I just felt better every time I went there.
At special times he’d be… on his hand-made musical instrument, playing the most beautiful music and sweeping everyone away into another world.
He was such a dear person, and I enjoyed his company so much. He was unique and rare. His place (one being – FM 1410) was always filled with conversation, music, and laughter. It made me think that this must be what it was like in France, when the Impressionist artists and writers were together. Tom was magical in creating a space for everyone to feel relaxed, accepted and free to share their thoughts, dreams, art and aspirations. He was like the Gertrude Stein of Dallas. A rare and cherished person.
The picture I added above was one taken when he gave me a book signing (my book is: How To Be A Healthy Vegetarian) party at his place FM1410. ( Thai’s Tom in the middle. I’m in the blue dress on the right with my mother next to me.) It was a joyous event and he was so dear to make food using recipes from my book. He had also contributed some recipes to my book. He was a such a dear friend.
He was the leader of a movement.
He will be greatly missed.
He has my respect and admiration.
I will miss my dear friend immensely.
I will miss Tom very much. He leaves a huge void in many of our lives.
- Nancy Addison
This is Tom Spicer and Anne Oliver Lewis at their booth at the Chefs For Farmers Event at Lee Park in Dallas.
Click here if you want to watch Tom teach us how to cut green onions in the proper way.
Click here to watch an interview with Tom and SMU Reporter.
Click here to watch him play his unique musical instrument!
