Tom is a 70+ year old, retired US Marine. Born and raised on a Virginia tobacco farm, he enlisted in the USMC in 1951. After serving 23 years and attaining the rank of Master Sergeant CW03, Marine Gunman, he retired in 1974 as a Captain. Tom graduated from NAU in 1984 with degrees in General Studies. He has worked as a silversmith, goldsmith, lapidarian, gun and camper shell salesman. Tom became intrigued with woodworking, after watching episodes of "The New Yankee Workshop" on PBS. Although he began with furniture, he now offers his beautiful and unique decoys, bowls and boxes at art shows. Tom is also a member of the American Association of Woodturners.