Tom Young is a man of wide interests and knowledge in many areas. Extensive travel in central Europe, a 37-year banking career, and an active retirement culminate in a wonderful, endless world of learning.
From his Arkansas birthplace to Florida retirement, Tom visited many churches. In his youth, attending a very fundamental church, as early as 10, he questioned its “fear of God” teaching. His wife Shirley, a lifelong Unity student and strong follower of Unity Clearwater via webcast each Sunday, introduced him to Unity some 40 years ago. Today, Tom says, “this is my home.” Considering Leddy’s Sunday lessons, week-night classes, and a great musical ministry, “what more could one want?” he asks.
Growing up in Arkansas, Tom says, “I definitely drew the good family card. Living close to the land, fishing, hunting and gardening were always part of our routine.” He still enjoys fishing and gardening. A volunteer and serious gardener at the Community Center of Largo, he plants peanuts during the first week in June, their invasive vine developing during the rainy season. Other seasonal plantings include the Blue Butterfly Pea, native to Thailand. He bought the plant, whose intense blue flowers are used for tea which steeps to a vivid blue hue, from friends in the Asian community and often shares it with people who value its beauty and potential.
After high school and business school in Little Rock, Tom joined the U.S. Navy. Of two years at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, working on the Admiral’s staff, Tom recalls, “Good fortune shines, and I connected with a second Admiral’s staff in Naples, (1968-70).” This group was part of the submarine navy, attached to a NATO base, and Tom often visited Pompeii and Rome. Discharged in 1970, he relocated to St Petersburg and began working in a small bank. Once again, fortune shone. He hit the industry at just the right time. After many mergers and acquisitions, he retired from Wachovia Bank in 2007.
A readily distinguishable quality about Tom is his continual optimism.. The best thing that ever happened, he says, was meeting his future wife Shirley of the “wonderful Peery family.” For a second time, he drew “the good family card.”. Shirley was born and raised in a Unity family living in Kansas City. Because of and with her, Tom would journey to Unity Village, even meeting James Dillet Freeman.
Today, the couple enjoys art shows, reading, occasional cruises, and the Rare Plant Network, a Pinellas Park garden club specializing in unusual plants and nursery excursions. Shirley weaves on a large loom, knits and enjoys Kumihimo beading. Tom, loving a challenge, likes to do India ink sketches” because it is hard.” Using an archival pen where every stroke is there to stay, he does a pencil sketch first. Drawn to Asian and Native American art, as an antique dealer, he displays table top antiques, featuring glass, pottery, porcelain, small bronzes and jewelry.