Tommy Gene Haley

Tommy Gene Haley, 77, passed away on Thursday, March 25, 2021 in Beaumont. Born in Sanford, FL to Harold and Norma Haley, Tom was one of three children.

If you knew Tom, it might very well have been from his career in radio. Tom began his radio career during his last two years of high school. In 1960 Tom worked weekends at WSFR-AM 1360 in Sanford. Tom would hitch hike up to Sanford from Orlando and sleep on the couch in the station on Friday night and then sign on the station at 6 AM Saturday mornings. Tom's shift would include most of Saturday. It was back to the couch again and then he would sign on WSFR again on Sunday morning; work till noon or whenever someone would come in to relieve him. He was hired by then WSFR PD, Dick Ravenhill, who later went on to work at WDBO-AM 580 when the station was on Lake Ivanhoe. Following his stint at WSFR in 1961, Tom did weekends at WHOO-AM 990 when they were playing "beautiful music". From Tom; " ... The only words I was allowed to speak on the air was, "This is WHOO in Orlando, Florida." During the last two years of High School Tom attended Navy Reserve meetings and went "active" just a week after graduation in 1962. In June of 1964, Tom finished his obligation to the Navy and the next day Tom was on the air at WABR-AM 1440, "Top Gun Radio". About six months later Tom joined Johnny Sutton, Bill Vermillion, Pat O'Day, (Jerry Thompson) and the rest of the crew at WLOF(AM 950).. In the years that followed Tom "bounced" back and forth from WLOF to WAPE in Jacksonville to WMYR, in Ft. Myers to WIRK, in West Palm Beach, then back to WLOF. Tom also worked at WKIS-AM 740, doing a mid-day talk show. Between 1977 and 1983 Tom worked at K92FM, WWKA-FM 92.3, from seven to midnight. Tom’s career in radio was one of the major points of pride for him over the course of his life; his career spanned more than 40 years. Tom was also a dedicated father to his loving daughter, a grandfather, and a constant support to his partner Anna. Loving, kind, thoughtful, organized, and orderly easily describe some of Tom’s characteristics and his comforting timber will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Left to cherish his memory is his partner of 2 years Anna Dominguez; his daughter, Tonya Caufield and husband Matt; his granddaughter, Olivia Caufield; his sisters, Marlene Haley and Debbie Haley; and his aunt, Ilene Stoughton.

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Norma Haley.

Cremation services have been entrusted to Lumberton Family Funeral Home.

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