Tommy was the first engraver that I used as a gunmaker WAY back in the early 80's. He did several rifles for me and my customers and a few shotguns. I have very found memories of the early times at the NRA shows (pre-Guilds) and the early guild years. A very upbeat gentleman of great talent. RIP
For those unfamiliar with Tommy, he was a Founding Charter Member of FEGA. In the image below, from the 2011 Guild meeting, Tommy is pictured holding his Stetson. At the 1980 formation meeting, that hat was passed around for the seed money that started the Guild. It is now present, in a glass box, at Guild meetings. The box has a slot in the top where visitors can drop in a bill continuing the tradition.
My prayers include Tommy and his family. Tommy gave me some good advice when I first met him. "Finish every engraving you begin. You will learn more from correcting or hiding your mistakes than you will from tossing it and starting over."
Here is one of two photos I took of Tommy mentoring a young girl in the drawing of scroll. I'll have to resize the other as it is too large a file to upload.