John Tomlin 'always set an example ... always extended his hand'

By Dick Foster
Denver Rocky Mountain News Southern Bureau

The smiling face of a young boy shone on two large screens at the front of Foothills Bible Church, and alongside was a simple caption: John Robert Tomlin, September 1, 1982; April 20, 1999.

Friends told stories Friday about a young man who loved Chevy trucks, country music and before his 16th birthday had already traveled to Mexico to build homes for the poor.

But before his 17th birthday, he had been killed, one of 13 people gunned down Tuesday in two students' rampage at Columbine High School.

Tomlin's memorial service Friday morning was the first in what will be a heartbreaking procession of funerals and memorial services in the coming days for the victims of the school tragedy.

More than 1,000 people defied the snowy, gray morning to fill the church and remember the Columbine High sophomore who had made his mark on friends and fellow students with everything from typical teen-age antics to a recognition of life's seriousness.

"Last summer, John made a mission to Juarez to build a house for a poor family, and that trip made an impression on him," said the Rev. Bill Oudemolen. "John recommitted his life after that trip. He said he wanted to be used by God to serve him."

His high school friends remembered more typical teen-age behavior.

Jacob Youngblood recalled meeting Tomlin on a summer job last year.

"The first thing John ever said to me was, 'Ford or Chevy?' I said 'Ford,' and immediately got on his bad side," Youngblood told mourners forced to chuckle through their tears.

"John always set an example. He worked hard and made sure the work was done and done right. He was kind and respectful and always extended his hand," Youngblood said.

Michelle Oetter, Tomlin's girlfriend, remembered his friendliness.

"He had a grin, and you couldn't help smiling when you saw him smile," she said.

"He spent so much money on gas driving back and forth to my house, but he always told me I was worth it," she said.

Oudemolen tried to bring interpretation to Tuesday's tragedy that would soothe the congregation's pain, but he admitted that "even though we know the facts, we will never be able to understand this senseless slaughter."

He had sobering words for the congregation, aiming it especially at the young.

"John Tomlin could have never imagined, nor could any of us, that it would be 16 years of life, and then the end," Oudemolen said, urging mourners to take stock of their own lives.

He cautioned the congregation not to be ruled by the same evil that spawned Tuesday's shootings.

"The events of the past four days fall into two categories: good and evil," he said. He urged the mourners not to entertain thoughts of revenge.

"Satan loves this. He wants us to be overwhelmed by the evil and the fear. He wants us to return evil for evil," Oudemolen said. "This is the message today: Do not become overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Tomlin will be buried next week in his native Waterford, Wis. Visitation will be today from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Drinkwine Family Mortuary, 999 W. Littleton Blvd.