Darts Federation of Australia

A TRIBUTE TO TOM FLEETWOOD

The passing of WDF Treasurer TOM FLEETWOOD saddens the Darts Federation of Australia after a long and brave fight against illness.
A visitor to Australian shores on numerous occasions, Tom was one of the most respected figures in American and world of darts, Tom will be greatly missed by everyone connected to the sport of darts. He was a great ambassador, and our sincere condolences are extended to his loving widow Della and family at this sad time.

A Life of darts, a life of Caring

Tom Fleetwood had three loves in his life; his ever-present wife Della; his love for the sport of darts; his desire to help children.

Tom, a man I am fortunate enough to consider a dear friend of mine, passed away recently. Without this man there would be no American Darts Organization. Without this man we wouldn’t have had the North American Open, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Atlantic City tournament. Without this man we would have all been the poorer during our lives.

Tom and I often disagreed. We disagreed because this big-hearted man lived by his principles and maintained his pride. He believed in what he believed in. His endeavors with Della have resulted in many, many dart players traveling to the far corners of the globe, competing in many entertaining tournaments and the development of the ADO, which grew up in the Fleetwood garage.

This year has seen the loss of a number of our best. I will miss the e-mails from Tom and the timely joke when I was in the midst of a problem. I will miss his insightful help with dart related questions. I will miss seeing him at WDF meetings. I missed seeing him some while ago at ADO meetings.

Tom, after extensive service to darts, left to channel his energies into the Prevention of Child Abuse program. This was typical of Tom. He wasn’t going to sit still, he was going to help, somewhere he was going to help. He touched lives world wide, and gained respect and friendships because of who he was. We will all miss him. Terribly.

Roger Bick

One can best describe Tom Fleetwood with the words Unselfish, Generous, Honest, Loving and Kind. Those who worked with Tom, admired and respected his strength of character and strong convictions. His legendary quick wit endeared him to all who knew him. A big man with a big heart and a wonderfully warm smile, Tom's circle of friends reached around the globe, many times over. Tom enriched the lives of those around him. The void he leaves can only be filled by the special memories he leaves behind.

Thomas Edwin Fleetwood was born July 6, 1935, in Columbia, Missouri, to Professor J. Ross and Bernice Turner Fleetwood. He passed away at the Kaiser Bellflower Medical Center on April 25, 2004. Tom married Della Ann Blair, a native of Lenox, Iowa, on June 22, 1968, in New York City, NY.

A unique individual, with varied interests and talents, Tom was ordained by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), as a young man, and briefly pastored a circuit of six rural Missouri churches. The Green Bay Packers, drafted him in 1958, but a severe knee injury prevented a long-term football career. Armed with a BA degree in Speech and Dramatic Arts, Tom created a role in the Broadway play, "The Yearling" and his television career included appearances on the "Jerry Lewis Show", "High Chaparral" and the long running series, "Dallas".

Tom was self-employed as a darts consultant / promoter, for 30 years. He co-founded the American Darts Organization, in 1976, and has served as treasurer of the World Darts Federation for 28 years. Fleetwood attained global respect as a tournament director and organizer and, together with his wife Della, attended darts events on five continents. Since 1998, the couple has owned and operated Sundowner Darts, a sports vending company with locations throughout LA and Orange counties.

Tom joined the Exchange Club of Downey, in 1984. Among his proudest achievements was founding the local Exchange Club Family Support Center and serving two terms as President of the National Exchange Club Foundation for the Prevention of Child Abuse. His continued awareness efforts and financial contributions have helped countless families to break the cycle of child abuse.

Fleetwood was preceded in death by his parents, his parents-in-law and his older brother, Jim. He is survived by his wife, Della, his younger brother J. Ross, Jr. (Marilyn) of Montgomery City, MO, two nephews, Chauncey (Marilyn) Fleetwood of Walnut Creek, CA and Stephen (Laura) Fleetwood, and their children, Stephanie and Lillian, of Shawnee, KS.

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