Tommy proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1964-1968, becoming a radioman and shared fond memories of his tour in Asmara, Ethiopia, during the Vietnam War.  In 1971, the family moved to Texas where Tommy attended Bible College in Waxahachie, Texas and remained there until 1978.  After living and working in Portales, NM for five years, the family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1983 so that he could answer the call to the ministry of the gospel.  He was an extremely well loved pastor.  He spent eighteen years working at Yellow Freight and from there, as a high clearance Security Escort at Sandia National Laboratories.  He enjoyed camping with his family, fishing, taking family road trips, visiting friends and family, mostly surprising his family with sometimes venomous and illegal critters that he brought home from work in his lunchbox.  He loved planting and caring for his many vegetable gardens and hunting for arrow heads.  He longed to become a professional poker player and spending time at local casinos.  His favorite thing to watch on television was Alaska the Last Frontier and Gold Rush.  

Tommy proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1964-1968, becoming a radioman and shared fond memories of his tour in Asmara, Ethiopia, during the Vietnam War.  In 1971, the family moved to Texas where Tommy attended Bible College in Waxahachie, Texas and remained there until 1978.  After living and working in Portales, NM for five years, the family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1983 so that he could answer the call to the ministry of the gospel.  He was an extremely well loved pastor.  He spent eighteen years working at Yellow Freight and from there, as a high clearance Security Escort at Sandia National Laboratories.  He enjoyed camping with his family, fishing, taking family road trips, visiting friends and family, mostly surprising his family with sometimes venomous and illegal critters that he brought home from work in his lunchbox.  He loved planting and caring for his many vegetable gardens and hunting for arrow heads.  He longed to become a professional poker player and spending time at local casinos.  His favorite thing to watch on television was Alaska the Last Frontier and Gold Rush.  

Those who knew Tommy will remember him as a friendly and talkative person who loved to share a good joke, especially with unassuming strangers.  His favorite joke was, "How many seconds in a minute?:...…"How many seconds in a year?"...….as his audience would struggle to do the math, he would laugh and deliver the punch line: "There are twelve.....January 2nd, February 2nd, etc.."  His sense of humor left a smile on everyone's face.  Tommy was a thoughtful and romantic husband, a firm but loving parent, and a proud and adoring grandfather.  He was a humble man who lived a life of simplicity on his own terms.  He was hard working and intelligent and could repair and build anything he set his mind to.  He was a proud member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.  

Tommy's tender loving spirit will continue to inspire his family, who will remember the way his eyes lit up with treasured memories and times spent with loved ones.