Thomas Iverson, A Life Transformed
By Hayden Hudiburg
When I sat down to interview Thomas Iverson, I had no idea how many twists and turns his life had taken when I first looked into his kind eyes. Although the deep lines on his weathered face gave me a hint. Just like the long white beard gave me a clue to his age. Born in Spokane, Washington, on a frigid morning when the temperature plunged to 32 degrees below zero, Thomas entered the world under extreme conditions. His parents, living in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho at the time, couldn’t have known that their son’s life would be anything but ordinary.
Thomas, or "Little Tommy John," as he was affectionately called in his early years, described a childhood marked by rebellion, discomfort, and mystery. One of his earliest memories was seeing what he describes as a small man with a lunch pail running across the foot of his sister's bed—a sight that excited him but scared his sibling. “I believe it was our guardian angel,” Thomas states now in his older age. Despite being surrounded by family, he often felt like an outsider at gatherings. Preferring solitude, he spent much of his time exploring the woods near Sanders Beach in Coeur d'Alene. This love for the outdoors became a refuge from a structured and restrictive home life. “If I could sneak away, I would,” he admitted. His rebellion culminated at 16 when he ran away from home, lying about his age to secure a job at a mine in Kellogg. While he felt guilty about leaving his parents in the dark, he relished the independence. However, a chance encounter with his sister during a trip back to Coeur d'Alene led to his arrest and a short stint in juvenile hall before being confined to house arrest.
Seeking a new way to escape home and find freedom, Thomas joined the Navy, a decision that would shape the next chapter of his life. His first tour in Vietnam began in 1968 during the Tet Offensive. Assigned to a destroyer that became the first ship to enter the DMZ in Cambodia, Thomas witnessed the horrors of war up close. His ship fired more rounds than any other in the area and, on occasion, served as a makeshift hospital for wounded soldiers—both American and Viet Cong.
During this time, two harrowing memories stood out. The first was when a fighter jet, returning from a bombing run, crashed into the water after hitting the deck. Without hesitation, Thomas and fellow sailor, Terry Ford, dove into the ocean to rescue the pilot—an act of bravery that earned him a commendation. “It wasn’t a decision,” he said. “It was automatic because of my training.” Yet, not all his experiences were heroic. The second incident was when Thomas’s captain, fearing a threat from locals who had approached their stationary ship requesting food, opened fire, killing two people and a dog right in front of him. The event deeply affected Thomas, leaving him with anger and unresolved trauma that would gnaw at his heart for years to come.
By the time he left the Navy in 1970, Thomas’s unorthodox life had already taken a toll. His first marriage ended during his second tour, and he faced disciplinary action for going AWOL in a desperate attempt to find his wife. Returning to Coeur d'Alene, he cycled through jobs but struggled to find purpose. “I was good at everything, but I couldn’t stay in one place,” he explained. Eventually, ending up in Arizona, it was here that Thomas had an otherworldly encounter.
One night, during what he describes as an out-of-body experience, he saw a black, cloaked figure carrying a lantern approach his home. Terrified, he retreated to shut the door but found himself staring at his own sleeping body laying on the couch defenseless. Jumping on himself, he woke up, and the figure disappeared, but the experience repeated the following night. This time, Thomas allowed the figure inside but panicked when he saw it had no face. After consulting a Native American friend, they performed a séance, which seemed to banish the apparition. However, the events left a lingering unease, compounded by the mysterious disappearance of his dog shortly after.
Eventually, Thomas returned to Idaho, where he continued to have sporadic out-of-body experiences. He also married twice more, raising three children but struggling to maintain relationships. Despite these challenges, he began his journey of spiritual exploration. In the late 1970s, he moved to Marysville, Washington, started a cleaning business, and worked on a tugboat in Alaska. While these ventures brought financial stability, they also caused strain on his third marriage, leading to his final divorce, and a period of hardship.
“My approach to living life is with love. I had to become aware and FLY ( First Love Yourself) this took some time to lose the ego and become my best self! To be aware that love is energy and energy is everything ✨️ :)”
Thomas credits Qigong as an essential part of his physical and emotional healing.
The past had taken a toll on Thomas. The war, the failed relationships, the anxiety and discomfort. All of it had broken him down physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Thomas’s turning point came about fifty years later when he discovered Reiki. After seeing a sign for a local healing business, he booked an appointment despite being nearly immobile from chronic pain. “I could barely walk,” he said. The Reiki session was transformative. “It changed everything,” Thomas explained. “When I first got there I had to use crutches, I could barely climb the stairs, and needed help getting on the table. After a few sessions though, all that changed.” Inspired, he trained to become a Reiki master, finding solace and purpose in the healing arts. “It’s hard to put into words, but it feels like it comes from a divine source.”
Now 76, Thomas leads a healthier, happier life with his beloved wife, Tien, whom he met and married in Indonesia. He practices meditation, Qigong, and other holistic therapies like Reiki, crediting these practices with his physical and emotional transformation. He no longer takes medication and feels at peace with his past. “I’ve learned not to judge people or places, and to just let things go,” he said. Reflecting on his journey, Thomas believes his hardships shaped him into the empathic person he is today. His story is a testament to resilience and the power of self-discovery, proving that even decades of trauma, failure, and pain, can lead to profound growth—and peace.
About Hayden
Hayden is a local writer and editor whose path has led him on a journey of discovery and exploration. He is currently working on his debut book series and is an ex-amateur MMA fighter.