He graduated from Wicomico High in 1960. He attended Salisbury State College where he met his beloved wife, Barbara. He graduated in 1964. He began his career teaching French at Snow Hill High School. He then taught English at Deal Island High and Marion High. He retired after 26 years at Washington High School where he was Chair of the English Department for 16 years. After retirement, he substitute taught in Wicomico County, taught English at the Adult Learning Center, and volunteered teaching English as a second language. He also had an antique business and loved to attend auctions. He was a member of Bethany Lutheran where he served as Congregation President. He was past treasurer for the Wicomico Republican Club. He was also a member of the former Mt. Hermon Lions Club.
He leaves behind his children, Kevin Hughes and his wife Colleen and Karen Wells and her husband JR; five grandchildren, Andrew and Abigail Hughes, and Joshua, Chance, and Geoffrey Wells and his fiancé Kelly Sullivan; and a sister, Jennifer Conner and her husband John of Coconut Creek, FL. He was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Barbara Hughes in 2006.
A funeral service will be held Monday at 11am at Bethany Lutheran Church, 817 Camden Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21801. Rev. Kevin Wackett will officiate. Interment will follow in Wicomico Memorial Park. Friends may visit Sunday from 4pm-6pm at Bounds Funeral Home on East Main Street in Salisbury and Monday from 10am-11am at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Tom to Coastal Hospice, PO Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802.