Thomas Lampe was born on July 12, 1931, to Oscar and Kathleen Lampe in Antlers, OK. Tom was the youngest of four siblings. Tom moved from OK to Tulare, CA with his family in 1937 where his parents established what was to become Lampe Lumber Company, where Tom worked for his entire career.
Tom was a lifelong athlete. He was a three-sport standout in football, basketball and baseball while attending Tulare High School. He was an All-Valley selection in both basketball and baseball his senior year. Tom scored 25 points in one basketball game as a senior which at the time was the record for the highest individual scorer in a single game (pre-3-point rules). Tom’s baseball coach described him as the most graceful shortstop he had ever seen in high school and the finest shortstop he had ever coached. He was drafted to play baseball out of high school but instead chose to attend the University of San Francisco where he played baseball and basketball. His USF teammates included Boston Celtic legend K.C. Jones. Tom left USF after his junior year basketball season to join the Coast Guard. Tom also played basketball with the Coast Guard team where he faced the first of the Big Men, Bill Russell, who was then a freshman at USF.
While serving his country, Tom picked up another sport, fast pitch softball. After his tour of duty, Tom returned to Tulare, started his lumberman career. Over the years Tom was involved in various clubs and organizations including the Rotary, Knights of Columbus and Elks as well as serving on various boards including the Tulare Recreation Council and the Tulare Public Cemetery Board. He continued his passion for sports with city league basketball and his lengthy career as one of the top fast pitch softball pitchers in the Country. He threw in numerous Softball World Series tournaments and holds a number of records including a no-hitter in a 1957 Softball World Series game in New Bedford, IL. After Tom retired from softball, he took up golf and spent many happy days golfing with his buddies who became lifelong friends (MillersTulare).
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