Published by San Diego Trust and Savings Bank.

Thomas Wolcott Sefton: Collector, Banker, Benefactor By Iris H. W. Engstrand
Tom Sefton, a true San Diegan, died after a long illness on November 7, 2006, at the age of 89. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Tom’s “generosity extended to charitable and civic causes, which he blessed with untold millions.” Although
a banker by profession, “he indulged the child within by amassing renowned collections of model trains, railroad artifacts and vintage Laurel and Hardy Films.”1 A patriotic American, stories about Tom abound—they are as numerous as the lapel pins he gave to everyone to honor the American flag. He was a unique individual who will be long remembered in the San Diego community.
During his time as president of the bank, Tom Sefton’s office at San Diego Trust & Savings let a visitor know immediately where his interests lay. Representative objects from his collections included the works of artists he appreciated, the handwork of artisans, Laurel and Hardy memorabilia including a caricature of Laurel, railway fixtures and china, photographs and various mementos of friends and family—all were skillfully displayed. Many of the objects were obtained by his father, Joseph W. Sefton, Jr., president of the bank from 1935 to 1960. Tom took great pleasure in explaining the quality of an item that made it worth acquiring. It was well known that he was a discerning collector, one who selected for excellence.2
Thomas Wolcott Sefton, born in New York City on October 8, 1917, was orphaned at two months.3 He was adopted by Joseph W. Sefton Jr., and his wife, Helen, and grew up in San Diego’s Point Loma suburb.4 During his childhood, young Tom spent time at the family’s Monte Vista Ranch in the Jamacha area, riding horses, playing in the streams, learning about animals, and observing the large-scale construction projects for irrigation and flood control. The Sefton family also made frequent visits to friends living near Santa Fe, New Mexico. Northern New Mexico’s rugged landscape became a favorite with Tom.
Tom attended the local Army/Navy Academy and the Catalina Island Boys School, where discipline and respect for authority were as much a part of the curriculum as history and science. He particularly liked flying, having flown as
a passenger with his cousin Sefton Wakefield, who often landed his plane at the Monte Vista Ranch. After graduating from high school, Tom enrolled in a flying course at Speer Field (where the main Post Office is now located), soloed, and built up flying hours in small planes.5
In 1938, he joined the bank as a messenger until 1941 when he began work at
a local aviation plant. In October 1942, Tom left the plant to join the US Army Air Corps. After completion of flight training in California and adjoining states, he was assigned to troop carrier work in Italy and flew missions over the Mediterranean.
Iris H. W. Engstrand is professor of history at the University of San Diego and the author of award-win- ning books on local history including San Diego: California’s Cornerstone; Harley Knox; San Diego’s Mayor for the People and Inspired by Nature: The San Diego Natural History Museum after 125 Years.

The Journal of San Diego History

He was released from active duty in July 1946 with the rank of captain. While in the service, he spent time with military police units, which gave him experience in a field he would be interested in for the rest of his life. Upon his return to San Diego after military service, Sefton resumed his career with San Diego Trust, then serving in a new capacity as assistant to the president.6
Tom Sefton married Donna Knox, daughter of San Diego Mayor Harley Knox and Bessie K. Knox, on April 15, 1951. They had two children—Laurie Jo Sefton (Henson) born on April 5, 1952 and Harley Knox Sefton born on November 17, 1953. Both are residents of San Diego. The grandchildren include Rowan Knox Henson (1999); Brenna Christine Sefton (1993); Devin Thomas Sefton (1995); and Joseph Knox Sefton (2001).
At the celebration of his 50th anniversary with the bank in February 1988, Tom received compliments on his achievements as president. One of the directors, Gene Trepte, conveyed the feelings of many of those present when he said, “There are
not many people who can live up to the demands of taking over a successful family business from a strong leader like your father. You should be commended for not only meeting those challenges but significantly enhancing and expanding the bank’s role in the community.”7 The San Diego Junior Chamber of Commerce named him Boss of the Year in 1961 and the National Secretaries Association named him Executive of the Year in 1966. In 1972, the Grant Club chose him as Mr. San Diego.
With Tom Sefton at the helm, San Diego Trust grew to include 53 branches with assets of $1.4 billion. At the time of his retirement, after the bank’s 100th anniversary, it was the primary financial institution of 10 percent of San Diego County households. “It was looked upon by the community as a conservative, solid banking institution, perhaps the major San Diego bank of its time,” said Hal Sadler, a veteran architect and former chairman of the Centre City Development Corp. board. Once an anchor of the downtown business community at Sixth Avenue and Broadway, it occupied a 14-story Italian Romanesque Revival-style building designed by William Templeton Johnson in 1927. In 1993, it was sold to First Interstate Bank, which later sold it to Wells Fargo.8 The bank building was renovated in 2002 and turned into the Courtyard by Marriott, with much of the original design intact.
Perhaps in reviewing Tom’s life, his role as a collector stands out. He loved to talk about steam engines, railroading, model trains, old coins, toy banks, and other items of interest. He had a special way with people. When students visited his museum at the bank, he would come down from his office to explain the objects personally. He would enjoy seeing their expressions when told they were holding a gold brick worth approximately $50,000. He preserved outmoded banking equipment and old records. This assortment is the central element of the bank’s historical collection, and these objects and records are preserved to show part of the bank’s heritage with the community of San Diego.

Read more at https://www.sandiegohistory.org/journal/v53-1/pdf/2007-1_sefton.pdf

Thomas (left) and Joseph Sefton Jr

Tom Sefton, a true San Diegan, died after a long illness on November 7, 2006, at the age of 89. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Tom’s “generosity extended to charitable and civic causes, which he blessed with untold millions.” Although
a banker by profession, “he indulged the child within by amassing renowned collections of model trains, railroad artifacts and vintage Laurel and Hardy Films.” A patriotic American, stories about Tom abound—they are as numerous as the lapel pins he gave to everyone to honor the American flag. He was a unique individual who will be long remembered in the San Diego community.
During his time as president of the bank, Tom Sefton’s office at San Diego Trust & Savings let a visitor know immediately where his interests lay. Representative objects from his collections included the works of artists he appreciated, the handwork of artisans, Laurel and Hardy memorabilia including a caricature of Laurel, railway fixtures and china, photographs and various mementos of friends and family—all were skillfully displayed. Many of the objects were obtained by his father, Joseph W. Sefton, Jr., president of the bank from 1935 to 1960. Tom took great pleasure in explaining the quality of an item that made it worth acquiring. It was well known that he was a discerning collector, one who selected for excellence.
Thomas Wolcott Sefton, born in New York City on October 8, 1917, was orphaned at two months. He was adopted by Joseph W. Sefton Jr., and his wife, Helen, and grew up in San Diego’s Point Loma suburb.4 During his childhood, young Tom spent time at the family’s Monte Vista Ranch in the Jamacha area, riding horses, playing in the streams, learning about animals, and observing the large-scale construction projects for irrigation and flood control. The Sefton family also made frequent visits to friends living near Santa Fe, New Mexico. Northern New Mexico’s rugged landscape became a favorite with Tom.
Tom attended the local Army/Navy Academy and the Catalina Island Boys School, where discipline and respect for authority were as much a part of the curriculum as history and science. He particularly liked flying, having flown as a passenger with his cousin Sefton Wakefield, who often landed his plane at the Monte Vista Ranch. After graduating from high school, Tom enrolled in a flying course at Speer Field (where the main Post Office is now located), soloed, and built up flying hours in small planes.
In 1938, he joined the bank as a messenger until 1941 when he began work at a local aviation plant. In October 1942, Tom left the plant to join the US Army Air Corps. After completion of flight training in California and adjoining states, he was assigned to troop carrier work in Italy and flew missions over the Mediterranean.

He was released from active duty in July 1946 with the rank of captain. While in the service, he spent time with military police units, which gave him experience in a field he would be interested in for the rest of his life. Upon his return to San Diego after military service, Sefton resumed his career with San Diego Trust, then serving in a new capacity as assistant to the president.6
Tom Sefton married Donna Knox, daughter of San Diego Mayor Harley Knox and Bessie K. Knox, on April 15, 1951. They had two children—Laurie Jo Sefton (Henson) born on April 5, 1952 and Harley Knox Sefton born on November 17, 1953. Both are residents of San Diego. The grandchildren include Rowan Knox Henson (1999); Brenna Christine Sefton (1993); Devin Thomas Sefton (1995); and Joseph Knox Sefton (2001).
At the celebration of his 50th anniversary with the bank in February 1988, Tom received compliments on his achievements as president. One of the directors, Gene Trepte, conveyed the feelings of many of those present when he said, “There are not many people who can live up to the demands of taking over a successful family business from a strong leader like your father. You should be commended for not only meeting those challenges but significantly enhancing and expanding the bank’s role in the community.” The San Diego Junior Chamber of Commerce named him Boss of the Year in 1961 and the National Secretaries Association named him Executive of the Year in 1966. In 1972, the Grant Club chose him as Mr. San Diego.
With Tom Sefton at the helm, San Diego Trust grew to include 53 branches with assets of $1.4 billion. At the time of his retirement, after the bank’s 100th anniversary, it was the primary financial institution of 10 percent of San Diego County households. “It was looked upon by the community as a conservative, solid banking institution, perhaps the major San Diego bank of its time,” said Hal Sadler, a veteran architect and former chairman of the Centre City Development Corp. board. Once an anchor of the downtown business community at Sixth Avenue and Broadway, it occupied a 14-story Italian Romanesque Revival-style building designed by William Templeton Johnson in 1927. In 1993, it was sold to First Interstate Bank, which later sold it to Wells Fargo. The bank building was renovated in 2002 and turned into the Courtyard by Marriott, with much of the original design intact.
Perhaps in reviewing Tom’s life, his role as a collector stands out. He loved to talk about steam engines, railroading, model trains, old coins, toy banks, and other items of interest. He had a special way with people. When students visited his museum at the bank, he would come down from his office to explain the objects personally. He would enjoy seeing their expressions when told they were holding a gold brick worth approximately $50,000. He preserved outmoded banking equipment and old records. This assortment is the central element of the bank’s historical collection, and these objects and records are preserved to show part of the bank’s heritage with the community of San Diego.
The motivation behind Tom’s lifelong interest in collecting these varied objects is simple and straightforward. “People are important to me. I find them fascinating. Perhaps that’s why I collect things—because the objects tell a story about people. From my various collections, I can pick up a brightly enameled old electric toy or feel the rough texture of a wooden farming tool from the Civil War period, and history comes alive for me. By collecting and owning these special items, I learn about the way people lived in other times.” In 1961, he fulfilled another dream when he, with a group of investors, purchased a private railroad car. Built in 1921 for president of the Soo Line Railroad in Minnesota and originally designated for the privileged existence of transporting VIPs on pleasure and business trips, the car retained its luxurious appointments and aura of yesteryear charm. Renamed the Cyrus K. Holliday in honor of one of the founders of the Santa Fe Railroad, the car was purchased by San Diego Trust & Savings in 1976 and was used to promote business and to entertain staff members, customers of the bank and civic and business leaders.