I had a wonderful November. Each year representatives from all Tennessee electric co-ops gather for an annual membership meeting, just like the individual cooperatives do, featuring speakers who provide a host of useful information and political leaders to report on our state and country.

This year’s meeting was special for me: It was my last. I gave my usual report to the representatives of the 23 member electric cooperatives that make up the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association; however, on the first evening, I was honored that more than 400 people attended a reception for me. Four managers who do what I do at other states even came and made really kind remarks.

It was a wonderful way to finalize my tenure at TECA. Seeing friends from the past as well as current friends and folks with whom I work … it was the highlight of my career. But besides that, I had my wife, Sharon, and all four of our children and six grandchildren by my side. That was special. Being able to introduce my whole family to the managers, directors, employees, attorneys and other guests was very rewarding.

I originally reserved this column to introduce you to the newest Purkey — a grandson scheduled to arrive mid-December, the fifth child for my son, Justin, and daughter-in-law, Lisa. But he’s decided to choose his own delivery date, so at the time of publication, he’s still in a “holding pattern.” When I think about “Baby Purkey,” I can’t help but wonder what’s in store for him as he lives his life. What does his “future plan” look like?

No one can answer that question, but everything we do will affect his life. A preacher at our church recently said that any kind deed we do to another person resonates eternally and changes things in other people’s lives forever. That statement is a sobering thought: that we are all constantly changing the lives of people around us.

Having grandchildren will certainly keep me on my toes at all times, especially knowing that every good deed is like a rock being tossed into a lake … the resulting waves go out over and over again, affecting the water clear to the shoreline. We generally refer to it as the “ripple effect.”

I look forward to touching the life of our new grandson as well as the lives of the rest of the grandchildren, and I’m hopeful that their lives will reflect the good deeds that they see from all their family, including their Papa and Granny.

I have enjoyed my career at TECA, and I’ve been blessed with a wonderful family. Goodbye, and may God bless each of you in everything you do.

OK. Where do I begin? I have a real-life story to tell you — one with a happy ending and, yes, some tears. I moved from Oneida to Nashville 24 years ago, bringing my wife, Sharon, and our four wonderful young children. I had lived in that small Scott County town for 30 years, since I was 11. And Sharon had lived her whole life there until we decided that moving to Nashville could provide new, positive opportunities for the whole family.

We loved the people, the church and the school there in Oneida, but I realized that the opportunities for our children to go to a university and find employment near home would be much greater in Nashville. So when I got an offer of another job in the electric cooperative business, we made the move to the Tennessee capital. But, again, not without tears.

Tom and Sharon, with children, from left, Elizabeth, Jonathan, Marc and Justin, are honored at their church in Oneida before departing for Nashville in 1987.

I had spent 13 years in management of the local Plateau Electric Cooperative, so coming to Nashville to work for the organization that represents all 23 of the state’s electric cooperatives, the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, seemed to be a good fit. And it truly was.

Although the number of employees that I was responsible for dropped from 58 at Plateau EC to 11 at TECA, my dealings at the statewide organization put me in contact with so many more people across Tennessee. My first few weeks on the job were scary. I tried to immediately learn the names of a few thousand people involved directly and indirectly with the cooperatives, but I soon realized that my lofty goal to personally know every one of these fine folks right away was impossible. I had to accept the fact that it was a daily process that I could never quite finish.

So how did we adjust to having moved to “big-city” life from a small, rural town? Not surprisingly, the kids hit the ground running, fully immersing themselves in school and church activities.

I’m sure other parents reading this are well aware of the logistical responsibilities we have to our children. Well, since our children had become so active in their new surroundings, Sharon and I quickly adjusted to our new hometown as we shuttled our kids to and from their various activities. Of course, we met the parents of our kids’ new friends, and once we got to know other parents, life became much easier.

One important fact I have learned is that life is made of relationships. No matter what your profession, religious background or leisure activities, the most effective way to accomplish your goals is through relationships.

The electric cooperative business in which I have worked for the past 37 years has been about just that: relationships. I’ve served as TECA general manager for 19 years and was also general manager at Plateau EC for 10 years. I learned that I could do nothing on my own without the help of the competent staffs with whom I worked. I cannot begin to fully express my gratitude for all they’ve helped me accomplish at the local co-op and statewide association.

Sharon, Tom and family are all smiles in a recent photo.

Effective Jan. 13, 2012, I am turning the page of my life to a new chapter … Retirement. Tears are mixed with joy as I remember the people with whom I have worked over the past 24 years in Nashville as well as the 13 years I spent with the folks at Plateau Electric Cooperative.

I would like to thank my wife, Sharon, who knows my imperfections but loves me in spite of them and is always by my side. And many thanks to the 23 electric cooperatives that have entrusted me to represent them and their member-owners in Nashville and Washington, D.C., in dealing with all the legislative issues of the past 24 years.

And especially thanks to my staff here in Nashville who really know what cooperatives are all about and have made it easy and wonderful for me to serve in the position I have held for the past 19 years.

I am looking forward to spending more quality time with my grandchildren (oh, yes, and my children) and my lovely wife of 39 years.

I realize that “time” is more valuable than any retirement benefit that I could accumulate by staying longer, so I must move forward to enjoy the next chapter.

It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve the people in Tennessee in the capacity of executive vice president and general manager of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. May God bless you as each of you writes your own chapters.

And Sharon and I wish you a Merry Christmas!

This is the season that, in my mind, stands out as the most important time of the year. It’s a time that challenges and inspires each of us to remember how we’ve been blessed — a time of thanksgiving. And, of course, it’s immediately prior to the season of giftgiving.

Over the years, I have made a point of naming the things for which I’m thankful. So here I go, one more time:

I’m thankful for …

• This wonderful country where we enjoy freedoms that are unimaginable to people in other nations.
• The soldiers who are protecting us at this very moment, upholding the benefits we enjoy in this great country.
• And this nation, formed on a foundation of principles that allow us to govern ourselves, and its leaders who represent those principles and provide needed services.

I’m thankful for …

• My wife, who could have picked anyone else, but she picked me.
• Our four wonderful children: Jonathan, Justin, Marc and Elizabeth.
• Their sweet and caring spouses: Shana, Lisa, Leslie and Jeff.
• And our grandchildren, each of whom we adore: Gracie, 8; Mary Kate, 6; Sarah, 5; Mason, 3; Jake, 1; and Sawyer, 7 months, and the one to come in December.

I’m thankful for …

• My parents who, though they have already departed this world, left me with true direction about how this life should be lived.
• And also my sisters, who knew and fostered my strengths and urged me to work on my weaknesses, leading me by example.

I’m thankful for …

• My church, which has always been an important part of my life.
• And all the people who make up my church family, who have encouraged me and inspired me over the years.

I’m thankful for …

• My work experiences, which led me to the rural electric cooperative industry where I discovered that cooperative members are really just like family members!
• And the wonderful opportunity to know the managers, board members and staff of the 23 electric cooperative systems across Tennessee and to realize and appreciate how dedicated they are in providing that vital, valuable service — electricity — to the people in their communities.

What a great life! I am so blessed, and for that, I am truly thankful.