Thomas Ralph Eversole, 75, formerly of Stillwater, OK passed away May 25, 2020. He was born August 16, 1944 in Hollywood, California to Ralph Wilson and Arlene Louise (Bordwell Kunz) Eversole.

Tom graduated from Paramount High School, California in 1962 and received his Associate of Arts degree from Long Beach City College (1966) and his Bachelor of Arts from California State University at Long Beach (1968).

Tom moved to Lawrence in 1971; he married Ann ImMasche Richardson in 1973 and they later divorced.

Tom had a lifelong love of music that began at age 7 when he learned to play the piano. As a young man he played at Shakey's Pizza parlors in Los Angeles and Orange County, CA and in later life was both a solo pianist and a sideman piano player for local bands, including "Little Joe and The Wisemen" of Lawrence, KS. He was classically trained at California State University but could play any genre. He featured with the Freddy Martin Orchestra in Hollywood, CA in the early 60's and played receptions for Lillian Carter (mother of President Jimmy Carter), Bob Dole, and Nancy Kassebaum in the 70's and 80's.

Tom was also an expert piano technician, tuner, rebuilder and restorer. He worked freelance as Eversole Piano Service from 1971 to 2003 tuning and restoring pianos for people all over the Midwest and later became Piano Technician for The University of Kansas (2003-2013) and performed the same duties at Oklahoma State University from 2014 until his death. Tom learned to tune the traditional way, by ear with a single tuning fork, and never used an electronic tuner to aid him. He once estimated he had tuned more than 22,000 pianos in his lifetime. Artists he tuned for included Johnny Cash, Sonny & Cher, Natalie Cole, Harry Connick, Jr., Elton John, Tori Amos, Herbie Hancock, Winton Marcellus, Arlo Guthrie, Ben Folds, and The Doobie Brothers.

Tom received the "Larry Award" in 2012 for outstanding contributions to the Lawrence, KS community

Tom is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Ann Eversole of Lawrence, KS; brother, Richard Eversole and his wife Maureen Godman of Bainbridge Island, WA; nephew, David Eversole and his wife Teri Eversole of Mobile, AL; niece, Laura Arsenault of Falls Church, VA; nephew, Elias Kyle "Eli" ImMasche and his wife Liberty ImMasche both of Fort Collins, CO; sister-in-law, Sonia Margolin ImMasche of Fort Collins, CO; and step nephews and nieces Kate Godman (Poulsbo, WA), Lucy Godman (Worthington, OH), Pete Godman (Seattle WA), Phil Lal (Orlando, FL) and several grand nephews and nieces, cousins and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Arlene Eversole and his former wife, Ann Eversole.

There will be no formal services.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Lawrence Journal-World on Jun. 2, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Eversole

12 Entries

Morey Sullivan

May 21, 2024

Great guy and great musician!!!

Kay Metzger

October 23, 2020

Tom was such a competent and gifted piano tuner. We always had such a nice conversations and he would play a few tunes when he was finished. I will miss him. My condolences to his family.

Judy Veatch

August 26, 2020

I just learned of Tom's death. I wanted to just say what a lovely man he was. My husband, Matt Veatch, and I hosted house concerts at our home on Massachusetts St from 2000 to 2010, and Tom would tune the piano anytime one of the musicians was planning to use our piano for a concert. The best part of a Tom Eversole piano tuning was the lovely mini-concert he would deliver at the end to convince himself that the piano was well and rightly tuned. My condolences to his family.

Diane Fukunaga

August 6, 2020

Tom took care of my mother's piano and later my own pianos. He was always a welcomed guest who brought a great smile and very congenial, enjoyable conversation. Piano tunings were looked forward to. He was highly skilled as a piano technician. My family and I, as well as many others, will miss Tom greatly.

Paul McClish

June 6, 2020

Elizabeth, I am grieving the loss of your father who was my good boyhood and lifetime friend. We were schoolmates in K-12 and at Long Beach State College. We were in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts together. Mrs. Miles, who was Tommy's first piano teacher, lived just four houses down from me. The girl who later became my wife, Ruth, was in many band or orchestra classes with him.
In 1972 Ruth and I visited your father and mother in Lawrence. It was a very good, warm time together. Your father has always spoken so highly and lovingly of your mother to me. He was very, very proud of her! Later, he spoke the same of you as you grew up. He was so proud of you, Elizabeth.
The Tommy Eversole I knew was a good, kind, gentle man. I so enjoyed watching and listening to him play at the piano or keyboard, We had a good talk on the phone just three weeks before he passed. I am thankful for that time.
Elizabeth, may God bless you with Love, Joy, and Peace as you cherish the memory of your father and mother.

Bob Carlson

June 5, 2020

I am most sorry to read that Tom has passed. He was always so kind to me and we had such a good relationship and I admired him for all the years that we were friends. I will miss him! Stay strong in his memory Elizabeth Ann.

Richard

June 5, 2020

Elizabeth, I was a high school buddy to Tom from 3rd grade thru 12th. Didnt see him again till 2010 when I found him and our four other buddies. We had a wonderful time and Tom was the same in 2010 as he was in1962. A genuine kind man. I will miss him. I would drive to Stillwater on occasion to visit with him.
Richard Duke

Bob Trepinski

June 4, 2020

nly ever heard wonderful comments about the work your dad did , Elizabeth. I offer my prayers and sympathy for the loss of your loving father. May your warm memories of him give you peace in heart and mind.
Hugs from Bob and Kodi

Barbara Reid

June 2, 2020

I was fortunate to have Mr. Eversole tune my piano three different times since I have been in Lawrence. He was brilliant. I will miss his dedication and wonderful ear for music. My condolences to the family.

Morey Sullivan

June 2, 2020

Tom was such a nice gentle person. He was a very good musician as well. I worked many band gigs with him and was one of my favorite musicians. Tom was always smiling and loved a good joke or story. My thoughts are with Tom's family. He will be missed.

Jonathan Becker

June 2, 2020

My favorite memory of Tom was him pulling up in his newly purchased, yet nearly antique, orange Corvette. Watching him get out and having to put his hands on the ground to slide out of the low-slung car is a fond memory. His childish glee at his new purchase brings a smile.

Janet Hart

May 27, 2020

Sending love and comfort to you, Elizabeth, and to your entire family. Tom made such an impact on my life and work. He always had time to listen and to share a story or a laugh as he did his work for us at The Music Clubhouse. He will always hold such a dear place in my heart. Janet Hart

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