Tom Hulderman, Class of 1969, Monongah High quarterback Nick Saban’s favorite receiver on the 1968 undefeated state championship football team and earlier on the Idamay Black Diamonds Pop Warner youth team coached by Brother’s father, Nick, Sr., passed away Saturday, July 28.

The 1968 team won by an average of 41 points during the regular season and won the title game, 21-12, against Paden City. Monongah defeated Paden City again, 26-0, for the 1969 state championship.

Brother’s sister, who gave him the “Brother” nickname, is Diana “Dene” Saban Thompson, a Monongah Elementary teacher.

Tom and Brother would practice their timing on the Idamay field for an hour after the team’s workout was over.

Today, Brother is the University of Alabama coach with six national football titles, including one at Louisiana State University.

Twice a year Tom went to Mount Calvary Cemetery to visit Nick, Sr.’s grave to clean the headstone and place flowers in front of the black granite stone that reads: “No man stands as tall as when he stoops to help a child.”

Now Tom and Nick, Sr. are together again. Nick, Sr. had a fatal heart attack while jogging home one evening.

Tom also was an excellent baseball player and was in the Chicago Cubs organization.

Tom had two children with the late Mary Frances Michalski Hulderman Gapen, daughter of Monongah High alumni Frank Michalski and Ramona Fullen Michalski: Tammy Hulderman Weintraub, married to Jacob Weintraub and living in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Tracy Hulderman Eye, living in Morgantown with husband Josh Eye.

Tom later married Georganne Shaw, who later became Georganne Deitzel.

 Mary Frances passed away after a career as a teacher in Barrackville schools. She was married to Rick Gapen. They lived in Barrackville.

Tom’s mother was the late Olive Jane Kniceley Hulderman. His siblings are Sylvia Ann Hulderman Edwards, Class of 1967, the widow of Eddie Edwards who lives in Fairmont; Raymond "Bugs" Hulderman, Class of 1966, married to Lorraine Snider Hulderman, Class of 1966, who live on Swisher Hill; and Don Pitman, Class of 1962, who lives in White Hall with his wife, Jane.

Harold Dean Kniceley, Class of 1960, who had an excellent career as a fine arts teacher in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland in Centreville, is related to Tom. Tom’s mother, Olive Jane, was Harold’s first cousin. Harold married Sandra Kay Miller. Mike Hess, Class of 1975, attended Tom’s funeral and gave this report: “Tom had several family, friends, football teammates, alumni there. “Kerry Marbury spoke and had many good things to say about Tom and his other teammates. Kerry also read a very nice letter from Nick Saban. Nick very much wanted to be there but was not able to attend. “Tom’s cousin Diane also spoke and had many good things to say of Tom and about his final days. She also spoke highly of friends Rocky Manchin and Scott Booth that had helped in Tom’s care. “Tom was a loving person and was not ashamed to tell any of his friends that he loved you. Anyone that knew Tom can tell you that. RIP, Tommy!” Tom’s obituary: Thomas Lynn "Tommy" Hulderman, 68, of Fairmont, died Saturday (July 28, 2018) at the Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. He was born Dec. 1, 1950 in Fairmont, a son of the late Raymond Otto Hulderman and Olive "Jane" Kniceley Hulderman. Tommy was a former coal miner, having last worked at Consolidation Coal Co.'s Loveridge Mine. He was a graduate of Monongah High School and was a well-known local athlete who played baseball for the Chicago Cubs Organization. He had many friends and was involved in various other activities through the years. He also attended Calvary Temple Assembly of God. Survivors include his brothers, Don (Joan) Pitman, Whitehall, and Raymond "Bugs" (Lorraine) Hulderman, Swisher Hill; a sister, Sylvia Edwards, Fairmont; a niece, Lisa Matter; nephews, Mark Hulderman, Gary Hulderman and Tim Fitzwater; several additional nieces and nephews, and many cousins. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a brother-in-law: Eddie Edwards; and a nephew, Matt Fitzwater. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Hutson Funeral Home, 3171 Husky Highway, Farmington, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, with Pastor Tim Shuttlesworth officiating. Interment will be in the Shinnston Memorial Cemetery. www.hutsonfuneralhomes.com .