By JON WILSON, Consulting Editor, TB Reporter

The community is invited to celebrate the life and legacy of a father, husband, son, brother, friend, adventurer, journalist, Scoutmaster and leader. 

A memorial service for popular outdoors journalist Terry Tomalin will be held near Shelter 14 at Fort DeSoto’s East Beach, 7 p.m. on Friday (May 27). The community is invited. Radio personality Carson Cooper will serve as emcee. The service will conclude with a memorial paddle-out for experienced paddlers. Said the announcement for the service: Bring your board!

As for attire: What would Terry wear?

Memorial contributions may be sent to Boy Scout Troop 219, attn: Committee Chairman Marty Wingate, 1424 72nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33702; or visit http://bsa219.org .

Mr. Tomalin, a long-time Tampa Bay Times reporter particularly recognized as an award-winning outdoors writer, died Thursday (May 19), succumbing to a heart attack. He was 55.

Since his passing, tributes have come pouring in. Stories will be told aplenty on Friday.

I had known Terry since he went to work at the Times in 1989. We enjoyed many good times and lots of invigorating conversations.

I’ll pass along just a couple of tales.

One happened more than a quarter-century ago.

Terry and I were in a canoe trying to fly-fish on the Peace River. We flogged the stream for a couple of hours with nary a nibble. I mentioned casually that an Irish pub had opened in Bradenton.

Urgently, Terry stroked 180 degrees and we headed back downstream. The only word he uttered: “Paddle!”

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