Born (1949) and raised in San Fernando Valley
- Public schools
- Methodist churches
- Boy Scouts, track and cross country
Education:
- BA in History (minor in Kinesiology and partial minor in Creative Writing) from UCLA (1972)
- K-9 Teaching Credential from CSULA (1975)
- Bilingual Crosscultural Language in Academic Development Credential (BCLAD - Spanish)
- MFA in Creative Writing from CSUFresno (2009)
- Has owned a home in Visalia (Tulare Co.) since 1977
Teaching career, divided between:
- California public schools (22 yrs)
- Overseas schools for missionary kids (9 years in Colombia with non-denominational mission Wycliffe Bible Translators)
- Private Christian school (2 yrs)
- One summer teaching English in China
- Currently teaching junior high history, film appreciation, and journalism in Farmersville
Extensive travel in:
- North America
- South America (Colombia and Brazil, 9+ years)
- Europe (6 months)
- Asia (China and Uzbekistan, 10 weeks)
Active in campaigns to:
- Begin public transportation in my Visalia (1979-81)
- Organize area's pro-life committee (1989-91)
- Develop American Solidarity Party in California
Founding member, ten-year elder-board experience, and 35 years on missions committee of local Evangelical Free Church, but now meeting with a home-church fellowship.
Married 44 years (wife Vicki)
- Five adult children
- Thirteen grandchildren (spread across Arizona, Wisconsin, Brazil, and England).
Hobbies include:
- Writing
- Photography
- Spiders and insects
- Horticulture and rare fruits