Tom

Tom grew up in Galveston, Texas, and joined the Navy at 18, hoping to see the world, though he says he mostly saw storms. He served on ships, traveling to Asia, Europe, and Africa. After retiring, Tom ran his own boat repair shop for nearly 25 years. He was known around the community for fixing everything from engines to neighbors’ radios. He was married for 55 years before his wife passed in 2022. He moved to Belmont last year to be closer to his daughter in Houston. Tom says his “life” now usually consist of the following: drinking coffee while watching the sunrise, writing letters, attending every Veterans Day service, and sharing stories with anyone who will listen. For Tom, being human means having stories worth telling and someone kind enough to listen, and he believes discipline is not control but peace through purpose. Losing his wife taught him that love doesn’t disappear, it just changes.