Tom, 78, died April 5, 2002, in Reno, Nevada. He was born in Nashville, Tennessee, March 23, 1924. He was a Civilian Public Service jumper stationed at McCall during the 1945 season and made seven fire jumps.

Tom studied at University of Redlands, University of California and the University of Nevada. He had a master's degree in English and taught at several high schools in Reno, Truckee Meadows college and the University of Nevada.

Tom was a well-known artist in the Reno area with a local studio in Verdi, Nevada. He was a devoted hiker and a volunteer ski patrolman. He traveled extensively throughout Europe.