Tony was born in Dahlonega and spent his childhood years in the mountain community of Suches. He attended Woody Gap School in Suches. Tony started his entreprenurial practices selling apples on the roadside, and later also sold produce grown in the family garden. He enjoys most outdoor sports, and has enjoyed racing, hunting big game, and fishing throughout his life. Tony has lived a very adventurous and colorful life. He was drafted twice, serving both in the Marines and in the Army. Tony and his partner, Jimmie Ruth (JR) live in Dahlonega where they spend their time creating one of a kind wooden bowls and other beautiful turned wood items.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do (or did if retired)?
Under his father’s tutelage, Tony learned all aspects of the home building industry and later became a developer and home builder. He has developed numerous subdivisions in the counties north of metro-Atlanta, and has built countless houses during his thirty-five year career. Now, Tony uses those building skils in a different way–turning wood. He has mastered the art of turning bowls on the lathe. He enjoys turning the larger bowls, twelve inches diameter and up. He has helped create a bowl that had a seven foot diameter.
Q: What is your favorite restaurants in our community?
Longhorn Steakhouse
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
“All my life.” Tony was born in Dahlonega, and his family ran a grocery store in Dahlonega right off the square. They had a farm in Suches, and sold some of their own produce in the grocery store. The store also offered home delivery.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community and why?
Tony told a story of his grandfather who could strike a match with a shot from a rifle. His grandmother was an herbalist, and people came from miles away and neighboring states for her to cure them with her herbal remedies.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Lake Okeechobee in Florida. Tony has wonderful memories of fishing there and participating in fishing championships. He has multiple National Fishing Championships to his credit.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
The Man from Snowy River, Westerns.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
“Don’t be a lying ***!”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Tony has flown airplanes, but never a helicopter.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Tony likes old Country: Marty Robbins, George Jones, Loretta Lynn.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Tony remembers there being a grocery store, feed mill, hatchery and a yarn spinning plant in Dahlonega. His family ran the grocery store.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why?
Bob Weaver, Tony’s best friend. They met when Bob pulled up at Tony’s house with a set of house plans that Bob wanted Tony to build from 200 year old logs. Tony told Bob no numerous times before finally relenting and building the house.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Tony’s mother’s photo with some other girls was featured in Life magazine. A copy is in the Gold Museum. Tony also has memories of growing up in Dahlonega, where he tells that tunnels ran underground, and he and his friends could go into each other’s homes through the tunnels.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Right in his workshop, turning one of a kind beautiful wooden bowls.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Tony has interacted with many interesting people throughout his life, one of whom was Junior Samples from the Hee Haw Show. Tony served as Junior’s bodyguard at the time.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Alaska. On a hunting trip in Alaska, Tony shot a moose which was the 2nd largest ever killed in Alaska on record in 1978.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Fall of the year when it cools down and you can go hunting. Christmas. Tony’s favorite day is his birthday because he “gets to see the kids.”
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Tony has many stories of his oldest daughter, Annette, and would rate her 10/10.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Jimmie Ruth, his partner. Tony and JR have known each other since they were children, going their separate ways for part of their lives, and reconnecting.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Beech nut wood.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Back in Suches.
