Tom Harvill is a friend to everyone and an enemy to no one. His infectious, optimistic spirit has captured the hearts of most if not all of those who have crossed his path.

His path began in Los Angeles on September 3, 1926. Born to Jesse Paul Harvill and Zoe Jones Harvill, Tom grew up in greater Los Angeles during the Great Depression and the golden era of Hollywood. He also had one younger brother named Jack. Along the way he has bumped into some of the era’s greatest film stars and recording artists such as Frank Sinatra. He was able to ride the streetcars of Los Angeles and hitchhike along the highways of Southern California when thumbing a ride was safe. He spent lazy summer days at the beach and even spent nights on the sand. He was a Navy corpsman in both WWII and the Korean War.

He married Betty Jean Rye in Las Vegas on New Years 1948. After his stint in the Navy and working as a draftsman with the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, Tom and Betty settled down in the quiet LA suburbs of Orange County. That same year, just a few miles away from their Fullerton home, Disneyland opened its doors. The family started to grow when Rob was adopted in February of 1957. As the 60’s dawned, their second and first natural born son, Jamie, was born in July of 1960. Just a few months later, Jon was conceived and completed Tom’s young family in December of 1961.

Tom continued to raise his family and to work at the “Districts.” In mid 1975, enduring many difficulties as a father of teenage boys, and looking back on life as a middle-aged man, he made the decision to dedicate the rest of his life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. He immediately made a spiritual connection with the teachings of Calvary Chapel’s Senior Pastor, Chuck Smith. Both he and Betty began their spiritual pilgrimage at the same time.

At the end of the 70’s, with the boys out of the house, Betty and Tom set their sights on early retirement and a home in the hills of Western North Carolina. In the winter of 1982 they made the move. Tom was enthralled with the small town environment of Forest City where he still lives today. Betty suddenly passed away in the spring of 1997, succumbing to a brain aneurism, just eight months shy of their fiftieth wedding anniversary.

Tom has always been a gifted writer and artist. He has written mostly short stories about his life experiences. Some of the stories were published in newspapers and magazines. When Betty died, Tom reconnected with his passion for writing through a series of stories entitled, “It Occurs To Me.” One can follow the memories, lessons learned and adventures of a full life in the installments of that series. You can find many of those writing on this site.

Tom Harvill is in full bloom and as energetic as ever. He is dedicated to his family, his writing, his friends, his church, his computer, and his Lord. Tom Harvill is still a story in the making and as the trail has wound its way into the Twenty-first Century, there are many miles to go and many more installments of his wit and wisdom. You are fortunate to have crossed his path.