Tom Thomson, long-time Columbus birder and originator of one of the very first telephone rare bird alerts passed away. His obituary from the Columbus Dispatch: Thomson Nelson P. Thomson “Tom”, born January 23, 1924. Passed away December 5, 2015. Graduate of North High School, 1942. Navigator of U.S. Navy WWII. Graduate of OSU School of Journalism in 1949. Was the Founder of the Short North Gazette. Author of Birding in Ohio. Past feature writer and nature columnist for Columbus Citizen-Journal. Passions were writing, birding, poetry, photography, nature, and family. He is preceded in death by former wife and best friend Jeanne and brother David. Survived by Janet (Gary) Campbell, Jeff (Kim) Thomson, James Thomson; and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Thank you to Mt. Carmel West Hospital and granddaughter Carrie Bailey for the tremendous amount of support and care. A private memorial will be held for the family. Please send memorial contributions donations to Mt. Carmel Hospice or the Audubon Society. Arrangements entrusted to EDWARDS FUNERAL SERVICE, 1166 Parsons Ave., Columbus, OH 43206. www.EdwardsFuneralService.com.