THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 3, 1994 TAG: 9408020123
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
He didn't always know he was going to go into the automobile business.
Even though his dad was car magnate Tom Barton Jr. of Beach Ford fame, Tom Barton III flirted with several career choices. ``I thought about being a dentist for a while,'' he laughed.
He didn't really decide to follow in dad's footsteps until he got to Virginia Tech, started taking some business classes and working at the dealership in the summers and saw how it all came together.
That intrigued him.
And now, even though he's been working in the family business full time for 3 1/2 years, he still finds time to enjoy other things in life - especially offshore fishing.
Full name: Thomas A. Barton III.
Hometown: Virginia Beach.
What brought you to the Beach? When my father purchased Beach Ford back in 1978.
Birthdate: Dec. 26, 1966.
Occupation: Vice president Beach Ford and Barton Ford Lincoln-Mercury.
Nickname: Tom.
Marital status: Single.
Children: None.
What is your idea of a perfect day off? A smooth day on the ocean, 60 miles offshore catching billfish on the ``Outer Limits'' with Capt. Harvey Shiflet and some good friends.
Last smart thing you did: Listened to my mom and dad.
Last dumb thing you did: Rode across the desert from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in 110-plus heat in the back seat of a convertible with the top down. (Yes, it was a Mustang.)
Favorite meal: Blackened tuna over black beans and rice and plenty of nachos and salsa on the side.
Favorite movies: ``The Fugitive,'' ``The Good, The Bad and The Ugly'' and ``Forrest Gump.''
Favorite song: ``Wonderful World'' by Louis Armstrong.
Last book read: ``Disclosure'' by Michael Crichton
Hobbies: Fishing, hunting, snowboarding, surfing, working out and reading.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Learn to be more patient with myself.
Secret vice: Too many Diet Cokes.
Favorite restaurant: Phil's Grill and Five 01 City Grill.
Your favorite night on the town: Go out with some good friends and stop by to see Alex and his crew at The Edge and then head over to either Jamaican Johnny's or Croc's to round out the night.
Favorite TV shows: Don't watch much TV unless it's football season.
Favorite sport: Football.
Last vacation: Snowboarding at Lake Tahoe, Calif.
Pets: None.
Worst job: When I was 12 - picking weeds until I passed out from heat exhaustion.
Of what achievements are you most proud? Being able to work successfully with my dad and being a part of the largest selling automobile dealership in Virginia.
What would you like on your epitaph? Here lies a very, very old man. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DAVID B. HOLLINGSWORTH
Tom Barton III
by CNB