Georgiafighters.com has been informed that Tom Mishou, former boxing commissioner for the Georgia State Sports and Entertainment Commision, is in a serious fight against cancer at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Below is an email sent from former Secretary of State Cathy Cox:
Hello, friends – I unfortunately am delivering very sad news – our friend Tom Mishou has been diagnosed with cancer that seems to be pretty much all over his body. I talked to his friend and neighbor Blake Emerson tonight and he said Tom has been admitted to St. Joseph’s Hospital.
The problems apparently started a couple of months ago with Tom complaining about hurting, having joint pain, etc. that wouldn’t go away. Then he started having motor problems in one of his legs, then complained of swallowing problems, and then two days ago he started acting strangely and having slurred speech, so another neighbor who is a nurse convinced him to go to the hospital. They did an upper GI and found an esophageal tumor, and an MRI found a brain tumor, which they’re currently treating to get swelling down in his brain. They’ve also found spots on his liver and his ribs. It does not sound good at all. I don’t know anything about further treatment options, prognosis, etc.
Blake said today Tom was much more coherent and while he wasn’t able to speak much, he was able to write out very clear directions to Blake about where his car keys were located, and other such details. Blake thinks Tom would welcome visitors, so I’m going to try and visit him tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon. Blake does not think the severity of this has really registered with Tom, so I’ll just see how it goes.
Georgiafighters.com community, please keep Tom in your thoughts and prayers.
I have known Tom Mishou since 2000 when I started working for him as an inspector for the Georgia Athletic & Entertainment Commission.
I started promoting fights in 2002 and he was more than helpful not only in his role as secretary for the GAEC, but as a friend as well. I was 26 at the time and had no idea what I was doing. With his advice and friendship only two years later I had landed a nationally televised show on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights.
When he retired from his position a couple years ago to go work in Iraq I threw a going away dinner in his honor at Maggiano’s at Cumberland Mall with many of his friends from the boxing community there including referees, timekeepers, scorekeepers, etc. I also had a painting custom made for him to remind him of his times working in his position.
He was always fair with everyone around him, but also extremely firm when anyone broke a rule. He’d give you fair warning once or twice, but if he found you purposely breaking a rule or skating the law, he’d have no problem publicly reprimanding you. He was extremely extremely good at his job and loved both sports of boxing and mma.
While in Iraq he had a heart attack over there and had to return early back to Atlanta. I went and visited him in the hospital where he looked good and sharp.
Recently he attended a GAEC meeting and had thoughts of getting back into the sport. He had been looking to maybe get involved in Georgia, Alabama or Tennessee.
Knowing him through the years he was quite the success story. At one time he was homeless in Minnesota then later joined the military, had been involved in government nearly his entire life and now has been living quite nicely on his retirement pay! The good life!
But he has never been married and never had kids. Working for the government and entrenching himself in boxing and mma had become his life and family.
Unfortunately I’m away in California for a week and just got this news this morning. I wish I was there so I could go visit him today. Once I return, I will definitely do so.
If you have time, please try to visit him at St Joseph’s Hospital or at least send flowers his way!
To all of you who know ME this won’t be a shock to you. Referee Vincent Accoo and I went up to St. Joseph ’s Hospital on Sunday evening. I was pleasantly surprised when we walked in to Tom’s room and he was awake and seemed to be alert. His greeting was “hey there, young lady” and I was encouraged. As conversation progressed he would make references “did you get the CD and how is that going?” in reference to New Orleans and we assumed he meant the ABC certification. He mentioned to the nurse that he expected to get “the CD at bedtime”. The nurse said he would get his sleeping pill later. He repeated “these are strange times” three times during conversation and also commented that “this could be the end or maybe not”. We were ready to leave so we wouldn’t exhaust him and we were following the nurse out. The nurse said “You can use the 5-digit number on the wall board or just push the button on the remote on the bed. You’ll be seeing more of me later”. WELL, YOU KNOW ME…I said “If you want to see more of me, CALL ME and I’ll put on a nurse’s uniform and come back.” Without missing a beat Tom announced “I’d rather see someone twenty-one!” I looked back and he had his usual grin on his face…JUST LIKE OLD TIMES!!!
Mazel Tom Mishou!
Hard to hear Tom is in such a rapid decline. After his difficult return from Iraq and surgery, he was so very upbeat and positive. All of us who know him can attest to his spartan spirit and concern with doing things the right way. Georgia boxing has become so much better for his efforts as he impacts all of us in refereeing, judging, and the business operations of our association. Everyone needs to send prayers toward him in this difficult time.
Nola – have you received any update on his status? I’m in California on vacation until Thursday. Thank you.
David, here is the last e-mail from Brian Stutts to our group of Georgia boxing officials:
I HAVE JUST TALKED WITH BLAKE EMERSON WHO IS TOM’S EXECUTOR. HE TELLS ME THAT TOM HAD BEEN HAVING JOINT PAINS FOR SOME TIME AND WAS ADVISED TO STOP TAKING THE SATINS HE WAS ON FOR HIS HEART CONDITION. THAT DID NOT STOP THE PAINS. THEN SEVERAL WEEKS AGO HE MENTIONED THAT HE WAS HAVING TROUBLE SWALLOWING. HE SET UP AN EXAM AND A TUMOR WAS FOUND IN HIS ESOPHAGUS. SEVERAL DAYS LATER HE STARTED TO HAVE TROUBLE TALKING AND WAS DRAGGING HIS FEET. THE FOLLOWING MONDAY HE HAD AN MRI AND WAS IMMEDIATELY ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL.
CANCER HAS BEEN FOUND IN HIS BRAIN, ESOPHAGUS, LUNGS, RIBS, LIVER AND MORE. HE IS BEING GIVEN STEROIDS AND RADIATION FOR THE BRAIN TUMORS. BLAKE EXPECTS THAT HE WILL BE MOVED TO HOSPICE NEXT WEEK. HE ALSO SAID THAT WHEN HE IS TAKEN OFF STEROIDS’ AND RADIATION HE SHOULD DETERIORATE QUICKLY. THE OUTLOOK IS QUITE GRIM.
TOM HAS A BROTHER THAT IS PLANNING TO VISIT WITH HIM NEXT WEEK.
We have been visiting and some of the officials have called to talk with Tom pretty regularly. Vincent and I plan to go up again tomorrow (Wednesday) to see how he is doing. I wish there was more I could do. Tom was such a good friend. Miracles happen EVERY DAY and I pray he gets one.
I am saddened to hear Tom is in such bad shape. He has helped me a lot and has been a loyal friend for many years. Tom recently helped me get an appointment to the Alabama boxing commission and even offered his help getting the commission started. I wish I was closer to be able to help him in this tough time. Tom has always been concerned with two primary things with regards to boxing – safety and fairness. I hope to emulate his ability to his ability to treat people fairly and with dignity. God bless you Tom! May the peace and grace of the Lord be with you.
I’m going to go to the Athletic Commission mtg on Thursday then to visit Tom after that if anyone would like to ride with me.
Dave@undisputedproductions.com
I visited Tom this afternoon in the Hospice.
It was very sad. I was only there for about 10 minutes because I really did not know what to say. I tried talking to him and asking him questions, but I don’t think he knew everything I was saying. I tried asking him questions, but really the only thing that he said when he answered was similar to “we’re gonna get through this and work together”.
I’m not sure he recognized who I was.
The info to visit him is below.
The Altus House
5411 Northland Drive
Atlanta, GA 30342
(Sandy Springs area)
404-252-8277
The web site for it is http://www.altushospice.com
I received the following e-mail from Brian Stutts:
I VISITED WITH TOM BRIEFLY TODAY. HE RECOGNIZED ME WHEN I ENTERED THE ROOM AND SMILED WHEN I GAVE HIM A HAT.
HE IS VERY WEAK AND HAS TROUBLE SPEAKING, I HAD TO SQUAT DOWN BY HIS BED TO HEAR HIM. HE KEPT SAYING “THIS IS THE END” , SHAKING MY HAND AND THANKING ME FOR VISITING.
I TOLD HIM EVERYONE IN THE BOXING FAMILY WISHED HIM WELL AND LET HIM KNOW HE COULD CALL ON US IF HE NEEDED ANYTHING
BRIAN
I am planning to see Tom tomorrow (Saturday) with Casey Sears and try to post an update after that visit.
From Casey Sears:
Hey Nola I got your message. I just wanted you to know that I went by to see Tom yesterday. He faded in and out quite a bit. Not sure how much of it was the pain medicine and how much of it was just the condition he is in now. We did have a chance to talk and for a while he seemed like the old Tom discussing boxing and politics, offering his opinions on both. His voice is strained. He talks in a whisper and he doesn’t seem to be eating much. He also mentioned several times that he just wants things “worked out.”
I could tell from his comments and demeanor he seemed ready to go. I think he’s in a lot of pain and wishes the suffering to be over.
Nonetheless, he had several visitors while I was there which helped him perk up. He had lots of cards and a couple of paintings so it’s obvious there have been lots of people to come by and offer their support. I encourage everyone who hasn’t been by to go
by and see him. I am sure he would be glad to see them and it really seems to help his spirit. God willing, He will bring him home soon and end his suffering.
Feel free to send this along to the others.
I visited Tom again this afternoon.
When I first went on Thursday he talked a bit, but I don’t think he knew who I was. I’d ask him questions and get the same answer, which was like a whisper.
When I went this afternoon he was in and out of sleep and didn’t talk to me at all.
I talked to the male nurse a while and he said throughout the day he changes. Sometimes he carries on good conversations and walks up and down the hallway. Then other times during the day he is pretty much asleep and doesn’t talk at all (which is the state where I saw him today).
I visited Tom today. I got there after Phil Hunnicut and the nurse said between Phil and I that Tom was responsive to voice. He didn’t speak but he acknowledged that he had heard her. I got there and he was sleeping. Darn, he doesn’t snore!
I was rubbing his arm just before I left and he seemed to know someone was touching him. I told him I would be back to see him again and he (sort of) smiled.
(SPECIAL THANKS to all of those who sent or delivered cards and the paintings Tom has in the room are FABULOUS!)
I will write again after I visit tomorrow.
Nola Oliver
Nola, I had the boxing ring painting done a couple years ago at his retirement party.
I’m not sure about the other painting(s) though. I know he always has been a very big fan of paintings.
I believe that Blake Emerson, who lives in his complex, is planning a party to remember Tom when the time is right.
To get on the list for the event you can email Blake at blakeemerson@gmail.com
I just got back from a visit with Tom Mishou. He was sitting up talking when Vincent and I got there. He knew who we were and told a couple who were visiting that Vincent was a referee and judge and that I was a judge. The couple was a trainer and his wife and he introduced us to them. He said he got a visit from his brother and he was happy that after 35 years they had a chance to “really talk”. He seemed like his old self when he said “I want to tell you something. It’s very important. The most important thing I can say.” “THANK YOU!”
I said I would stop by tomorrow and visit with him again. He said “or in a couple of days”. I told him “I have you on my To Do List for tomorrow” and he smiled.
He seemed to be thinking clearly today.
I hope it’s a good sign.
I received the following e-mail from Brian Stutts:
JUST RECEIVED NEWS THAT TOM MISHOU HAS PASSED AWAY. MEMORIAL PLANS ARE INCOMPLETE.
MY HE REST IN PEACE.
BRIAN
I will post updates regarding the memorial service.
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