I read the books as a youngin' I was so pissed that they left my favorite character out of the movies. So I kinda had the opposite experience from you.

I mean doesn't gandalf say if they gave him the ring he'd just lose it?

Facts, Tommy B is the best part of LotR. I'm also glad they left him out of the movie, cause he's the one thing that wouldn't have translated well.

Lol. This might not be popular BUT there's a reason he doesn't make the cut in the movies or extended cut releases. Tom Bambodil is basically middle earth's "MyStErIoUs WaYs." This is a hot take but I would almost go so far as to say his existence in the world ruins the book, his songs/poetry are terrible and he's just kind of there. He is meant to be a mysterious figure that lends to the overarching mystery of the world, one who has always been around and is so powerful he is basically a god, but doesn't actually give a shit about the world outside of himself or the suffering of others. I see him as a vestige of JRRT's catholicism seeping through, this ultimate force that could end the war but didn't because reasons.

Edit: grammar is hard after wine

Tom Bombadil is a weird character that appears early in the Hobbit's journey in the first book.

He lives alone in the forest with his wife and lives very carefree, despite potentially being the most powerful entity in all of Middle Earth or Arda in general. The ring has no effect over him, and he didn't turn invisible when he wore it.

Tom Bombadil is just sort of... A thing that happens. It has no real bearing on the story and contributes to almost nothing. He does save the Hobbits, twice; once from some grumpy tree and once more from some restless dead, but cutting him out entirely doesn't change the story of The Lord of the Rings in any way, which is why he's not in the movies.

The only other mention of Tom Bombadil in all three books is Elrond hoping he would've accepted his invitation to his Council.

Tom is a merry fellow, his coat is blue and his boots are yellow.

No no no, it's LOTR. I know acronyms can be hard.