Tom was born in Auglaize County Ohio and was raised there on a small farm. After Graduating from high school and marrying his high school sweetheart, he attended and graduated from Oho Northern University in 1973 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. His family moved to Lancaster in 1977 to work at Diamond Power and while working for Diamond Power furthered his education by receiving a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Ohio University in 1983.

His working career included several contract administration roles at Diamond Power, materials manager at Premix (Lancaster), several sales and managerial positions at MPW Industrial Services, and part owner of two small businesses in Indiana. Prior to retirement, his last work experience was a Vice President of Marketing at a small environmental company in Southwestern Indiana.

Tom and his wife of 51 years have resided in the second ward of Lancaster for over 42 years; have two children and four grandchildren. Tom and his wife have been active members of the Christ United Methodist Church in Baltimore, Ohio for over 41 years. Tom is also a member of Kiwanis of Lancaster, Fairfield County Antique Tractor Club, and the Lancaster YMCA.