Aug. 16, 1944 – Nov. 26, 2007. Tom passed away peacefully at his home on Nov. 26, 2007, surrounded by his loving sister and brother-in-law, Bunny and Bert Mooney. He was born in Columbus, Ohio, one of three children, to Thomas H. and Frances Mary Botts. He joined his sister, Suzanne Hilgartner, who preceded him in death on this same date, nine years ago. Tom was a native of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and resided in Baltimore for the past seven years. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force as a combat controller, doing three tours of duty in Vietnam. He retired as a master sergeant at Hurlburt Field, Fla., after 20 years of service. He was the recipient of many decorations and a proud member of the Air Force Jump Team, "The North Stars." Tom had many amazing adventures in his life and his stories will be remembered and told time and again by his family. He is survived by his two daughters, Suzanne Blackledge and Tammy Botts-Kimler of Sacramento; sons-in-law, Kenny Blackledge and Greg Kimler; former wife, Linda Botts of Rocklin, Calif.; stepgrandsons and many nieces and nephews of the Mooney and Hilgartner clan. Tom will be greatly missed by all who loved him! Family and friends will be invited to join in a celebration of his life to be held on Feb. 8, 2008, at 11:30 a.m. at Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery in Baltimore, after interment under full military honors. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his honor to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org. Life is not about the amount of time we're given, but what we did with the time we had.