Lodi Residents Gather To Remember Tom Kettleman After He Was Hit By A Car
LODI (CBS13) — Lodi residents gathered to remember Tom Kettleman, who was struck and killed by a car on Sunday.
It's still hard to believe for many who counted on seeing Tom walking around Lodi every day.
"You see him all over and you can't, but smile," said John Englemann.
Many gathered on Monday to light candles for a dear friend who made them smile without ever saying a word.
Tom has two Facebook pages, one with more than 3,000 followers documenting his life in Lodi, as residents posted pictures and videos of their time with him.
Some believe he stuck around the area because he was fed well, but that also meant he led a dangerous life.
"Hoped that he wouldn't get hit although we knew that was a possibility," said Lilli Henricksen.
But on Sunday, that possibility sadly became reality as Tom was hit by a car. His Facebook pages lit up with the news.
Englemann says he found Tom's body and had him cremated.
"It shocked me to see him laying there," he said.
Monday's remembrance showed how Tom's short life created long-lasting friendships among strangers.
"It's not about this wild turkey that happened to be hanging around here for six or seven months," Englemann said. "It's about what he did to everybody you know just brought out the good."
A more formal farewell is planned in the future, but no date has been set yet.
Many wanted to relocated Tom Kettleman to an area with less traffic, but they were told by Fish & Game to leave Tom alone.
