Thomas A. Kaider; U.S. Army and Steel Industry Veteran Thomas A. Kaider on Nov. 30, 2008 passed away at his home in Laughlin, Nevada. He was 76. Born in Allison, PA on Sept. 29, 1932, his family would later move to Grant Town, West Virginia, where his father Andrew was a coal miner for 47 years. The oldest of three children, he would later go on to excel in football, basketball and baseball, while attending Fairview High School. He served with the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division during the Korean Conflict and later during the Cold War, while stationed in the then Allied Occupation Zone in Germany. While serving he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Army Occupation Medal (Germany), and Good Conduct Medal. Upon his honorable discharge from the military in 1955, he returned to civilian life working in the steel industry in Cleveland, Ohio; a career that would encompass 47 years starting with Republic Iron and Steel Company, and upon its merger with Jones and Laughlin Steel subsidiary of the LTV Corporation, with the entity being known as LTV Steel. He and his wife had a passion for travel, and over his lifetime would journey the globe to such places as the former Soviet Union, eastern and western Europe (both pre and post Cold War), Scandinavia as well as throughout most of the United States, Canada and Mexico. Thomas was the beloved husband for 50 years of Helen E. Kaider; and father of son Michael. He is also survived by his youngest sister, Patricia Wertz. His other sister Lillian Wasi is deceased. Helen Kaider passed away in Arizona on Aug. 3, 2009 (almost exactly 8 months from the death of her husband and one day after what would have been their 51st anniversary). They were both interned at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 23, 2010. Letters from Rock Lake: Remembrance of a life-long friend       It's good to know that there'll be a gathering for Tom. Nobody deserves to be remembered more than he does.       Because Tom was about six years older than me, I don't have a lot of stories about the two of us. He was more often with his group of guys: Billy, Lou Clark and then later on with Joey. Also Cecil Ruthkowski.       Earlier today, several of us Grant Town guys got together at a restaurant in Fairmont to have lunch and to talk about growing up in Grant Town. They were saddened to hear about Tom and all recalled what a "GOOD GUY" he was. (1) Ronny Retton, the father of Mary Lou Retton: "The Kaiders grew up three doors up the street from me. We played every game together, whether it was baseball, football, basketball or hide-and-seek, etc. Tom was older than me but he was always good to us younger kids and a good athlete, too. (2) JoJo Retton, former basketball coach at Fairmont State: "Tom, Louie, Cecil, Billy, we all hung out together and if one of us got into a jam, all the others were there to help out. You don't forget lifetime buddies like that." (3) Frank Sabatino: "Lillian and Patty were closer to my age growing up but Tom was the guy we played sports with. He was good and he was good hearted which is even more important. (4) Joey Clark: "I introduced Tom to Helen up in Cleveland. He was a great guy, the best. He and Lou and Cecil were close. In fact, they all got kicked off the basketball team in high school because the stupid coach said they were too rough. Can you believe that?" (5) Mike Basile and Junior Basile, older cousins of mine: "The Kaiders were a fine Grant Town family, every one of them. Those were the days when you trusted people like that; not like it is today." (6) Charlie Merico, one year behind Tom in high school and an all-state basketball player: "Tell Tom's wife how sorry I am to hear about his passing. He was a dear friend and a wonderful guy."       Helen, as I've said to you before, my memories of Tom go back to when we traded comic books. Comic books cost ten cents apiece back in the late 1940s. Had we kept those things, they'd be worth a lot of money today. Another fond memory has to do with our favorite baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Ralph Kiner. He led the league in homers for several years and is now in the baseball Hall of Fame.       Tom lived about 75 yards from my house, across a small field. Every time Kiner hit a home run, we'd both dash for our front porches and Tom would scream, "KINER HIT ANOTHER ONE!!!!" Those were days of listening to the games on the radio since TV hadn't yet come to Grant Town.       About fifteen or so years ago, after one of the all-class Fairview High School reunions, Tom, Joey and Louie Clark and I were seated and talking about the Pirates of yesteryear. One of us said, "Can you name the starting players for the 1948 Pirates?" Here it is: Catcher: Phil Masi and Clyde McCullogh; first base: Elbie Fletcher; second base: Danny Murtaugh; Shortstop: Stan Rojeck; third base: Frankie Gustine; left field: Ralph Kiner; center field: Wally Westlake.....and then all of us were stumped on who the right fielder was. Finally, Tom said a name that I don't currently recall, something like Coley Richert. Well, Lou, Joey and I looked at each other and said, "WHO????"  Tom repeated the guy's name and we all said, "There is no such guy!"       Well, a week or so later, I receive in the mail, from Tom, the Pirate line-up of that year and the right fielder was who Tom said it was. He was with the Pirates for only one year but that just goes to show what a Pirate fan Tom was. And you better believe that he never let me forget that he could name ALL the players. ha. Stuff like that is what makes good friends.       In order to give your friends there a "feel" for what Grant Town was like back then, get a load of some of the nick-names we had: Slick, PataLata, Monk, Pooch, GooGoo, ChooChoo, Bear, Blackie, Tonchie, LaLa, Usher, Zeke, Leach, Kooba-Jez, Sibby, Gunzy, Frog, Jiggy, Hoptoad, etc., etc.  Oftentimes, we didn't know these guys' real name.       Tom's nick-name was "Blockhead." I once asked him how he got such a name and, as I recall, he said it had to do with a haircut that he received.              Have a drink for me on your remembrance of Tom.....      Sincerely, Bucky On behalf of my Mother and I, we would sincerely like to thank all those who attended the gathering in memory of my Father on Dec. 21, 2008. I especially would like to thank Fred and Karen Butler for their time and effort in the planning of this evening and for the hosting of the occasion at their home in Laughlin, Nevada. I know it is safe to say that all those in attendance were grateful for having known my Father, and for the times we were lucky enough to have shared with him. He will certainly be missed. - Michael Click thumbnails to view Enable javascript in your browser to view images on this web page   Back to Top