Tom was born April 7th,1944 to Johnnie and Martha Peterson in San Francisco, California. He started his travels early as he was born while his mother and father were out of town for his father's work. The family continued their travels to Colorado and throughout many parts of Texas before settling in St. Louis Missouri when Tom was 2 years old. The family eventually grew to include five sons and three daughters, with Tom being the oldest. After high school Tom entered the Air Force. He was stationed at Carswell Air Force Base, in Fort Worth, Texas and traveled throughout England and Bermuda. On November 26th, 1966, Tom married Lynelle Burgess in St. Louis Missouri. Three years later they welcomed their daughter, Leslie Ann to the world followed by Thomas Allen Jr eighteen months later. Tom also embraced his new role as stepfather as Lynelle brought with her three children Jeff, Paul and Dana. Tom followed in the footsteps of his father and uncles, starting a long career in the refinery construction and maintenance business. He started as a welder, eventually obtaining certification as a Professional Engineer. His career took him from Ruskin, Florida to the North Slope of Alaska and from Long Beach, California to Paulsboro, New Jersey with a million miles traveled in between. Internationally he had the opportunity to work in France, Spain and Aruba. Despite all his travels his heart was always drawn to Texas. The Lone Star State was a place he formed childhood memories with his Grandma Leota Frick, Uncle Bill and Aunt Sue. Tom had countless hobbies, but most people knew him for his photography. His love of Texas and appreciation for all the wonderful places he had an opportunity to visit will shine forever in the images he was able to capture.
In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to the Friends of Faith Ministry for Adults with Special Needs at www.friendsoffaith.org.
A visitation for Tom will be held Monday, June 24, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133. A funeral service will occur Monday, June 24, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133. A committal service will occur Monday, June 24, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM at Memphis Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, 3700 N Germantown Pkwy, Bartlett, TN 38133.
