Columbus Equipment Company President Thomas Stivison passed away Feb. 2, 2012. He was 66.

Stivison began working for Columbus Equipment Company on Mar. 18, 1970, as a field salesman covering southeast Ohio. He sold the first Komatsu ever in the state of Ohio, a D65E-6.

Stivison served this territory for 23 years and sold many machines, but more importantly to him, created relationships with some very good customers in his territory.

In 1993, Stivison and one of his best customers had the idea to start a used parts and equipment company. From this Starr Parts was formed as a partnership between Columbus Equipment Company and the McCorts. Stivison served as president of Starr Parts from 1993 to 1998.

Around that time, Columbus Equipment Company had some management changes that prompted Stivison to return to the company as sales manager.

At that point, Columbus Equipment Company sold its interest in Starr Parts. Stivison remained the sales manager until 2003 when another management change saw him accepting the role of president.

During his time as president of Columbus Equipment Company, he navigated the company through the worst economy the company had ever seen. Through his entire career at Columbus Equipment Company he viewed the company and all its employees as his second family.

Stivison is survived by his wife, Cookie, four children and 11 grandchildren.

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