Tom has worked with wood all his life and began woodturning at Vista High School in 1943 while attending the 7th grade. After high school graduation in 1948, Tom began a career in carpentry. He saw active duty 1953-1955 in the Seabees on Guam. Tom continued as a carpenter and construction supervisor until 1980 when he obtained a general building contractor's license and contracted till retirement in 1990.

Tom was a self taught spindle turner until about 1996 when he joined the San Diego Woodturners and was introduced to "Green Wood" natural edge bowl turning. The association with the Woodturners has opened many doors such as making contact with turners from around the world, and recycling urban wood from dead or fallen trees destined for firewood.

He became a member of the American Association of Woodturners in about 1996 and a juried member of the San Diego County Carvers Guild in 2001 at Spanish Village.