To his friends and family, he was known as Tommy, Tom, and when he was little he had the nickname of Taco because that was his favorite food. He loved Mexican food, Mexican music, country music, family trips to Mexico, camping, fishing, playing cards, darts, and pool as well as horse shoes and Mom's homemade biscuits and gravy. His greatest thrill was becoming a father to Nigel and Katie. Though his marriage to Mary didn't last, they remained good friends and raised their children together. Tom was always there for his children's football and soccer games as well as school functions. Annual trips to Convict Lake were a family tradition and fishing was a family passion. They also enjoyed annual trips to Knott's Berry Farm. He loved his mom and dad dearly and his brother, Greg, and his sister-in-law, Jennifer. They were "stuck together like glue." He loved his older brother, Ronny and sister-in-law, Betty and his older sister, Roberta. He was very close to his Uncle Gary, who was more like a brother than an uncle; and was very close to his nieces Erica and Kelley.