Thomas Pitts:
CLASS OF 1988
Marist High SchoolClass of 1988
Eugene, OR
Trinity UniversityClass of 1992
San antonio, TX
O'Hara Catholic SchoolClass of 1984
Eugene, OR
Saint Jeanne De Lestonnac SchoolClass of 1984
Tustin, CA
Thomas's Story
Life
After being selected "Most Likely to Become a Serial Killer" three years running, I found a wonderful woman who took me away from it all. Laverne and I were married for many years and I treasure the memories we made together. I am quite certain my potential homicide victims are happy for her influence on me.
A month after graduating from Trinity University in San Antonio, I found a part-time job with Freeman Decorating working the convention and trade show circuit. The job was supposed to fill time before graduate school but within three years I had been promoted four times and was working 70+ hours a week. I worked many of the larger shows (ComDex, Homebuilders, NATPE, and Semi-Con among others) and eventually was spending 3-4 months a year traveling to supervise convention displays.
After spending a term as President of the local union, I started to feel unfulfilled. Two months after attending my 10-year reunion, I approached my wife about the possibility of chucking it all and opening a comic book store. In perhaps the greatest surprise since she agreed to marry me, she supported the idea.
The store in San Antonio was eventually successful and was far ...Expand for more
more rewarding personally (if not financially) than my previous career. When Laverne was offered a position in Corvallis, it took a lot of soul-searching, but I decided to close the store in SA and move back to Oregon.
I opened a store in Corvallis, which I had for 2 years. But a combination of industry factors and demographic changes led to me closing the shop, and dealing strictly via mail order and conventions.
Soon after, a family illness led me back to Texas, where I rejoined my old company, rising back through the ranks before taking a strange career path and becoming a Safety Manager.
In late 2007, I was offered a similar position with more pay and better benefits with our office in San Diego, and I have been here ever since. The job can be tedious at times. Dealing with OSHA and DOT and Work Comp isn't the most exciting way to spend a day. But it is certainly rewarding.
San Diego is a fine city, and you certainly can't argue with the weather. I may have traded a 4-bedroom house in Texas for a cardboard box in California, but between the 70 miles of beaches, the fine museums, and the surprisingly good fish tacos, I will find a way to muddle through. :)
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