Tommy Johnson has been heard to say, “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit.” This is, indeed, how he has lived his life. Tommy will always tell you how it is and if you can’t take it, well then… But Tommy is also one of the most positive, caring men that I have ever met. If you need help, just ask and he will be there at your side. He has a true love of life and he is passionate about sharing it with everyone. Even if he does give someone a piece of his mind, once he’s done, he goes right back to joking with them. Tommy leaves a lasting impression on everyone that he meets and that is why we decided to work together to share his stories.
When the idea of this blog was presented to Tommy, my excitement was returned with a blank stare followed by a question and answer session. When Tommy was told the name of the blog, the look turned to the, “Are you bullshitting me?” look that I have seen many times throughout my life. Let’s be real, the name is perfect, isn’t it? He is a retired railroad engineer and he’s not shy about telling people that he does things like gardening in the nude.
These stories will be a lot of fun to share with you. We hope you like them as much as we do!
By the way, he did actually railroad in the nude, more than once.
Rail Days
Tommy became fascinated by trains as a young ‘un when he saw his first steam locomotive and train being used on a movie set in Ingelwood, Ca. Trains would always be a part of his life, even after he retired as an Amtrak Engineer in 1994.
The Theater Life
Growing up, Tommy often went with his parents to see the ballet, opera, and stage shows. His love of theater took him to Ventura, Lake Tahoe, Southern California, and finally to Sonora, Ca.
Family Man
Almost 60 years are shared between Tommy and Susi. There has been so much love, laughter, tears, zaniness, and most importantly, an incredible daughter.