Tom DeWille was born in St. Louis, Missouri, where he enjoyed studying physics and electronics at Cleveland High School and spent his free time designing chemistry experiments in his parents’ basement. His fascination with pyrotechnics began with a desire to create something special for his sister’s birthday and eventually led to him doing his first professional shows when he was in his early teens.
DeWille enlisted in the Army in 1963 spending time stationed in Seoul Korea and working with a missile program. When he was discharged in 1966, he went to work in Huntsville, Alabama, at Redstone Arsenal in NASA’s lunar technology department. In 1972, he obtained his business license in Huntsville, AL and Luna Tech, a groundbreaking pyrotechnics phenomenon was born. DeWille’s innovations included PYROPAK, a two-component system that revolutionized the manufacture and transport of pyrotechnics. He also developed the first electronic firing system for indoor pyrotechnics, making Luna Tech, for a time, one of Fed Ex’s biggest customers. His clients included KISS, Michael Jackson, Bon Jovi, Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, The Who, Pink Floyd, and more. DeWille did more than just work in the industry, he developed it, shaping fireworks and pyro laws throughout the U.S. and Europe.
He is survived by his husband, Jody Tudor, his sister Judy Stika (Tom), nieces Angie Farnworth (Demian) and Renee Monson (Jeffrey) nephews Paul Stika (Erin) and Corey Stika (Nadine Gurule), a great niece, several great nephews, former wife and business partner Amanda McLean Nixon, and many dear friends.
A memorial will be held at a later date to be announced.
