I’m so sorry to hear of Tom -T.K’s passing. I worked with T.K. first  at WSB-TV, where he was the T.D. - Technical Director behind  the big Grass Valley Switcher, and then at WATL-TV where he was the Director Of Promotions.
He was always so helpful, creative, and a joy to work with.
T.K was just a great guy!
My prayers are with his family and friends that we may all find peace and comfort in our lives and appreciate that we had the opportunity to know T.K,, learn from him and love him!
Rest in peace old friend!
Bill Minor

Tom was a super personable being.  Gone much too soon.  I miss seeing him and his ever-smiling face.

TK was a constant beacon of friendship, encouragement and great vibes for the 30 plus years I knew him. His unfailing optimism and enthusiastic effervescence set him apart from any friend I’ve ever had. No one was a better champion or cheerleader to us creative types, and he willingly took the heat for any bad moves on our part. I’m grateful to have spent time with him on his last trip to Atlanta and will miss having him randomly pop into my life, 
 as he always did. My best to Chris, Nora and the family.

Pete & I met Tom in Brooklyn a long time ago when we were students at Pratt and Tom worked part time at his uncle’s diner across the street, which everyone called “The Greeks”.  A few years later we moved to South Florida and Pete ran into Tom at the CBS affiliate in Miami.  They both looked at each other and said, “The Greeks!”  It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

As Louie Boviero & Theresa Virgil & Pete wrote, Tom basically launched our careers, bringing us to Atlanta to work with him first at an independent station, WATL and then Turner Broadcasting.   
Tom was funny, smart, charming & creative with an uncanny knack for bringing the right people together.  

I miss him and as everyone has said, he left us way too soon. He is in my heart.

When we worked together at WATL36 in the 80’s, Tom proposed that we men establish a “League of Gentlemen” among ourselves. Tom was always the romantic and always a gentleman at heart in all his life’s endeavors. He was truly a “Man for All Seasons” who provided many wonderful memories but left us far too soon. Rest in peace, dear friend. May God welcome you with open arms. 
Gene McHugh

I remember when TK set my career path on a different trajectory in 1987.  He gave me a job as promotion producer at WATL in Atlanta, and then built one of the strongest creative teams with Pat Smith, Lou Boviero, Joe Bird, and other impressive talents. I learned so much under TK’s leadership, and I will be forever grateful that he helped changed my life for the better. 

The “ripple effect” is a remarkable thing, and TK’s impact on so many lives is truly extraordinary. Rest in power, dear TK. You’ve blessed so many lives in more ways than you could have possibly known.

 “Drop a pebble in the water: just a splash, and it is gone; But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the sea.
And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be.”  - James W. Foley

Our lives would not have taken the course they did without Tom.  He found work for Pat at WATL, which brought us to Atlanta. Then, he hired us over at TBS. Believe me, TBS was not looking to hire Pat and Pete Smith, that was all Tom. We went on to have fine, rewarding careers at Turner, thanks to Tom.  He even found us our damned house!

My dear childhood friend and one-half of “TNT”! We had just reconnected after decades apart, but we picked up our friendship again so quickly and easily! I am sorry we won’t be able to continue our reminiscing, but am glad that my last words to you that day were “I love you”. Godspeed!

Yo Tom,

If you're able to see/read this I just want you to know that all those years of working together in 2 cities (Miami and Atlanta) were some of the best, happiest and creative years of my life. And a lot had to do with your being a part of it.
I will admit you are one of those rare individuals who was TRULY an individual.  And I'm sure you will be for eternity.
Well, I could go on, and on but the Max is 2000 characters. So in parting, I just want you to know that I was blessed and honored with knowing and working with an individual like you and Hopefully we'll meet again.
OPA!

So sad to learn of his passing & my thoughts are with his family & Leticia 🤍
In the brief time I spent with him, I could tell he had a spark of magic in him, quick-witted & curious.  I’m so sorry for this loss, it seems far too soon.

My dear friend, TK, was a VERY different "drink of wine," always with a uniquely TK way of framing his thoughts.  Not only have his friends and family been dealt a loss, but it is the Universe that suffers, perhaps, even  more, especially those who eventually were to encounter his soulful joy.

RIP, my brother.  Ride the wind...YOUR wind...and...

C U later, but not now.

Milt

Our hearts are broken. TK was a man of zeal and hope. A creative, loving, carefree soul. He never forgot  our anniversary and always kept in touch. When we went away once (to Paris), our clawless cat had gotten out just as we were leaving, TK stayed up all night at our house to make sure the cat came home safely. He was a true bud.  I am most sad for the years he will miss. We will keep your family in our hearts.

Rest in peace, TK. You were always a true friend.

My deepest sympathies to Tom's loved ones. He had always been a lifesaver for me.  As a boss and mentor,  and as a friend. What an incredible loss. When I think of TK, I only have good memories. Laughter, kindness and compassion, and so much more. We are lucky to have known you, and are better for it. Love & light.
❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

OBITUARY

Thomas Nicholas Kounelis

November 15, 1950 – November 7, 2023

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