Thomas Edward Linder

Thomas (Tommy) Edward Linder Jr. (70) joined his heavenly father November 16, 2020 at his home in Lynchburg Va.

Thomas Linder, Jr. was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on December 5, 1949 to Mona and Thomas Linder. His family resided in Moss Point Mississippi where he and his parents, Tom Sr. and Mona, and 3 sisters (Paula, Pam, and Charlotte) lived until 1967.

At age 5 Tommy would begin to apply his musical interests with piano lessons.  By the time he was nine he began singing with local Presbyterian Church Choir where his family attended.

During Vacation Bible School, Tommy would make a Profession of Faith and join First Baptist Church of Moss Point, MS, a Southern Baptist Church.  From age 12 – 17 was involved with SBC graded choir programs and participated in Youth Choir, Small Group Ensembles, Solo’s, and State Choir Festivals and Competitions.  He was also involved with several Moss Point High School musicals and sang with the High School Glee Club and Chorus.

In 1967 the family moved to Beans Corner, Maine where Tommy would attend The University of Maine and was a founding member of “The Designed Xpression”, a choral group that traveled to Europe for winning a USO tour competition. As part of the “Designed Xpression”, Tommy also sang in men’s quartet called “The Grimaces Four” and developed his hidden talent as being a real “HAM”.

While attending Naval Flight Officers Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida 1972 – 1973 Tommy sang with the non-denominational Pensacola Naval Air Station Church choir. He joined the “Naval Flight Officer’s Command Choir” (Men of Wings), an a cappella group of Naval Aviators that performed at numerous military, public, and educational events.

Tommy was a member of and sang with Dr. Jerry Falwell’s Thomas Road Baptist Church, “The Old Time Gospel Hour Choir” in Lynchburg, Virginia from 1973 – 1977. He also sang with the “Liberty Four” quartet and sang on “The Old Time Gospel Hour” television program.

From 1977 – 1995 employment opportunities would have Tommy residing in Plattsburg, New York – Phillipsburg, New Jersey – Nazareth, Pennsylvania – Richmond, Virginia – Bangor, Maine – Burlington, Vermont – and back to Bean’s Corner, Maine. These moves opened the doors for him to sing in numerous community choruses, churches, and appear in community theater musicals.

Indianapolis, Indiana would be the next stop for Tommy in 1995 where he furthered career as an environmental engineer in the paper industry and his singing career at Northside Baptist Church among other groups such as “His Voice Through Us” and “The Mariners”

Tommy was once asked why he loved to sing Southern Gospel Music.  His reply;

“I love music and I love to sing.  I am truly blessed that God has given me the ability to do what I love to do – sing and communicate God’s Love for all of us through “Southern Gospel Music”.  Singing is part of my purpose in life and it is a ministry for me.  I am not a performer, an entertainer, or an actor; I am an ordinary person that God has blessed to be music “minister” that uses “Southern Gospel Music” as my message of “Hope & Eternal Life” for the lost.

As a member of “The Mariners”, all of us have had the opportunity to see firsthand, God’s power as He perform His transforming work in the hearts and lives of many, many people.  We never know what is in the hearts of people that come to hear us sing – financial problems, heartaches, sickness, desperation, etc.  What we do know is that God wants us to meet their needs – whatever their needs may be.  As a result, we try to communicate God’s Love every time we sing.  We have been blessed to see many people come to know the Lord or grow closer to Him as a result of our commitment to God – communicating God’s Love through southern gospel music and/or the words of the songs we sing. 

I am humbled, amazed, grateful, and blessed beyond measure to be able to sing for the Lord . . …And to sing for the Lord with not one, but two very special quartets made up of dear friends that I love – His Voice Through Us & The Mariners!”

Thomas Linder would later relocate to Mobile, Alabama in 2012 where he continued his singing at Moffett Road Baptist Church and other groups.

Tommy is survived by his two daughters, Ann Linder of Indianapolis, Indiana and Emily Linder of Lynchburg, Va, His 3 sisters- Paula Linder (Wilton, Me) Pamela Brooks (Jay, Me) and Charlotte Nyboe (Round Pond, Me)

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford, is assisting the family.