Thomas M. Caroland

Thomas M. Caroland, age 93 passed away peacefully at home on Monday, September 16, 2024. He was born Saturday, May 30, 1931 in Cumberland City, Tennessee and was preceded in death by beloved wife, Carolyn (Shepherd); mother, Vera (Bradley) Caroland; father, Thomas M Caroland Sr.; sister, Ramona “Bruce” Stout and sister, Marion Bellar.

Survived by sons Ross Caroland (Shelia), Rex Caroland, grandson Brian Caroland (Charlotte), and great-granddaughter Margaret, as well as numerous cousins, nieces & nephews.

Tom was born in a small frame home on the banks of the Cumberland River in Cumberland City Tennessee. He spent most of his youth in and around Adams and Cedar Hill Tennessee. He enjoyed playing all high school sports until he broke his arm playing football. He worked in various jobs from mowing lawns to working in a saw mill until he joined the Army in 1949 just before the Korean War started. Volunteering to go fight, he was excited to see other parts of the world only to be captured a few months after entering the conflict, and then spent the next 33 months in multiple prisoner of war camps throughout North Korea. His faith in God and willingness to survive kept him alive during that grueling time. He was released in 1953 and returned home to Robertson County Tennessee where he met Carolyn Shepherd. They were married in October 1955 and would remain together for 58 years until her death in October, 2013. They raised two sons in Madison TN where Tom worked at Peterbilt Motors until he retired at the age of 72 in 2002. In their early years of marriage they enjoyed going to gospel quartet concerts in Nashville and continued to enjoy that type of music throughout their lives. After Carolyn’s death in 2013 the congregation at Grace Park Church in White House Tennessee kept Tom’s spirit alive where he was a faithful member even attending church a week before his death.

He enjoyed local outings with his Sunday School class, drives through the country and lunches with his dear friend Kathy after church. He was privileged to see California, Arizona, New York, Washington DC and always looked forward to regular visits to Gatlinburg and Florida each year with his family. He was past Commander of the Middle TN Chapter of the American Ex Prisoners of War. He was a kind, humble, and generous man who loved the Lord, his family, and his country. He will be greatly missed by all those that loved him until we meet again.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom Caroland’s name to The Church at Grace Park, White House Tennessee.

Family and friends will gather to remember Mr. Caroland at a visitation Thursday, September 19, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and 11:00 to 12:00 Friday, September 20, 2024 at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, Goodlettsville, Tennessee.

A celebration of life will occur Friday, September 20, 2024 at 12:00 PM at Forest Lawn Funeral Home with Rev. Bob Cook officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, Garden of Gethsemane. Serving as pallbearers will be Brian Caroland, Jim Harbison, Tim Sowell, Billy Cole, Tom Utley, Gerald Ellis, Donnie Payne and Harold Brien.