Tom was born in Detroit, MI in 1949, oldest of 10 children, son of a steelworker and homemaker. The short period of time around 1953 the family had to move in with Tom’s paternal grandparents in River Rouge, MI. Fond memories remain from this brief period. Formative years growing up in Lincoln Park, MI recall somewhat carefree life in a working class environment.
After high school graduation, Tom was hired at the same steel mill his father worked in and was drafted into the U.S. Army in late 1968 after marrying his first wife. One-year tour in the Vietnam War left Tom with two bronze stars metals for bravery in combat and a unique sensitivity and lust for life that defined his later years. Tom published a memoir in 2017, available on Amazon (see below).
During the 30 years Tom worked at National Steel as a crane operator, electrician and union activist he earned a Bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University and a Master’s degree from Central Michigan University doing evening and weekend classes while raising 3 children. Tom divorced in 1984.
In 1997, it all changed, Tom’s father died. A brief marriage to his second wife ended due in part with his struggles with substance abuse. Upon his retirement the same year Tom followed his strong drive to move west. Living one year in Phoenix and finally settling in Los Angeles.
Art has always been in Tom’s life, an appreciation of all art forms, spent 40 years practicing photography both as a professional and fine artist. After leaving Michigan, Tom turned to digital photography and no longer did professional work.
In 2004, he married JoAn Joseph at a beach restaurant in Malibu and they had a daughter, Elisabeth in 2006.
After teaching and working as an administrator at several schools around Los Angeles, Tom received a doctorate degree in 2008 while working at Santa Monica College. As a tenured professor at the High Tech Training Center for almost 15, Dr. Peters retired in June 2020.
The fine art photography work produced from 2005 to 2008 hangs in the Santa Monica College Library and other locations on campus.
Tom now puts his time and energy into his wife and daughter, walks on the beach, golf, and traveling.
In November 2022, Tom was elected to a 4-year term at Santa Monica College Board of Trustees.
On December 31st, 2023, Tom closed Tom Peters Galleries, a business he owned and operated in California.
Art Work is found under Photography and Painting on main page menu.
Pixel Phone Photography is a blog site exhibiting the work I do almost daily with my Google Pixel phone.
Life Style Changes is a blog site born from the major and minor life style changes I’ve gone through and my attempt to verbalize these changes.
