Tom Sturm
I've really enjoyed reading the
bio's and updates from everyone. What a great class …that MHS Class of '67. You
have inspired me to share my experiences for those interested.
First let me join in the chorus of voices thanking and congratulating The
Committee for putting together a wonderful reunion. I wasn't sure what to
expect, but I was truly blown away with the warmth and friendliness and the
genuine heart felt welcome I received from everyone I met. My wife Debbie, who
had never met any you, could not get over how friendly everyone was to her.
Thank you all. A special Thank You to Erick Sizer for tracking me down. Who knew
there were 105 Tom Sturms.
After graduating MHS I attended WVU for a semester and a half. I majored in beer
drinking and minored in Bridge. I probably spent more time at the Student Union
than I did at home. Many of my friends were getting their draft notices and I
could feel Uncle Sam breathing down my neck. It was only natural that I would
join up. Most of my family had a history of serving in the military. My
biological Dad was in the Army (often in the Brig). My Step dad was a Sailor. My
Brother joined the Navy two years earlier and my Sister had a job working for
the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon. I was going to join with a friend,
but he was turned down due to high blood pressure. I got accepted. I did my boot
camp in Chicago and was then assigned duties as a Communication Technician. I
had to learn a foreign language… Russian. I was stationed at the Presidio of
Monterrey, California. Tough duty. I was getting into it… Join the Navy and see
the world.
My high school sweet heart wasn't ready to "see the world". She wanted to finish
her education first. I don't blame her, but I moved on. I was young and
impetuous and couldn't wait. I met a lovely Lady in California that was eager to
see the world. We got married, and had two lovely Daughters. We lived in such
places as Cypress, Gaeta Italy and Rota Spain. For two years I was embarked on
the Sixth Fleet Flagship and traveled to just about every port in the
Mediterranean. Angela, my oldest Daughter, lives in Richmond, VA and has two
children of her own. Sarah still lives with her Mom in California, but is now
engaged. She is a trained crime investigator and probation officer. My first
wife and I split up after eleven years of marriage. It's strange how you can go
from being on the same page to not knowing how to get along any longer.
I met my second and final wife while stationed in Texas. I knew I had a sole
mate as soon as I met her. We had so much in common it was weird. She and her
family had spent time in the Mediterranean area during the same time I was there
while in the Navy. She too had been married before and brought a Daughter,
Dalana, to our marriage. Dalana is now married and has given us a Grandson and a
Granddaughter. Together my wife and I have a Son, Tom E. He is twenty four and
enjoying being young and single and selling cars for Everhart Honda. Now we call
ourselves the All American Family… Hers, Mine and Ours. My wife Debbie and I
just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary by renewing our vows in Las Vegas.
(We even came back with more money than we went with. That never happens!)
I stayed in the Navy for fourteen years and got out as a Chief Petty Officer in
1983. By that time I had received language training in both Russian and Arabic
and served as a Naval Instructor my last three years. And, because I was
stationed at an Air Force Base I was also awarded the designation as Air Force
Master Training Specialist for my joint services work. I got out of the Navy
with a plan to ply my skills with the State Dept., but the Reagan Administration
announced a government hiring freeze. I had to look elsewhere for work. I got a
temporary job working for Sterling Company out in Sabraton. They had recently
been purchased by Kohler Company. Not too long after completing a couple
projects for Sterling, I was offered a job by Kohler Co. I've been with them for
twenty three years now. They are a great company to work for and one of the
largest privately held companies in the world.
I presently reside in Troutman, NC. It is a little community about thirty miles
north of Charlotte, NC. Down here when someone learns you are from West
Virginia, they laugh and say…. Yeah, that's as far as you could get on a tank of
gas.
My Mom, Margaret Trickett, still lives in Morgantown, out on the Grafton Road. I
get back to Morgantown several times a year to visit family and friends.
My take away from the reunion is bitter sweet. It was great seeing so many of my
former class mates, but sad that many of my closest friends had passed. Having
seen you all again, I regret that I didn't get to know more of you better.
Raise Hell, Lower Heaven. We're the Class of 67!!
Thomas F. Sturm