Ormiston, Thomas M. An Amtrak conductor, working on the Metrolink commuter operation in Los Angeles, CA, died of injuries he sustained in the Metrolink train derailment in Glendale, CA on Jan. 26, 2005. The Northridge resident was 58.

Tom was born July 14, 1946 to Floyd and Marian Ormiston in Oklahoma City, OK.

He moved to California in 1963. He began serving in the U.S. Army in 1968, and after an honorable discharge began his career in the railroad industry in 1970. His career in the railroad industry spanned 35 years and includes service with Santa Fe, Southern Pacific and Amtrak. Tom truly loved his job and considered both coworkers and passengers as an extension of his family.

"I first met Tom when Amtrak started the Metrolink service in October of 1992. He had a quiet but strong personality and he cared tremendously about his passengers and coworkers, who felt the same way about him. Tom was truly loved by the entire Amtrak and Metrolink family and we will miss his kind and generous spirit and his great sense of humor," said General Superintendent Richard H. Phelps, Southwest Division.

Tom was an avid collector of knives, angling artifacts and books. He was currently serving as President of the Southern California Blades Knife Collector's Club. Tom also had a great love of music. He especially loved playing his banjos and guitars. His many interests were enjoyed and shared by his wife Ann.

Tom is survived by his wife, Roberta Ann Ormiston of Northridge, CA, daughter Kerri Davis and husband Shawn, daughter Christie Rodriguez and husband Phil all of Bakersfield, CA, parents Floyd and Marian Ormiston of Oklahoma City, OK, mother-in-law, Rene Hall of Jocumba, CA, brother Tim Ormiston and wife Peggi of Dallas, TX, sister Tia Long and husband Darrell, two nieces and two nephews all of Oklahoma City, OK. His five grandsons Brandon, Justin and Tyler Davis, Trent and Bryson Rodriguez and one granddaughter Tara Davis especially loved their "Papa Tom."

Services will be held on Monday, Jan. 31 at 11:30 a.m. at Forest Lawn Memorial Parks and Mortuaries in Glendale, CA. Interment will be held at his final resting place at Sunnylane Cemetery in Oklahoma City.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Alzheimer's Disease Association (www.alz.org) in the Ormiston family name.

Published in the Los Angeles Times on 1/30/2005.