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Thomas Phillip Carroll, age 88 of Appleton City, Missouri, died Monday, October 14, 2024 at the Lee’s Summit Medical Center. He was born to Charles Oral and Eva Helen (O’Dea) Carroll on February 10, 1936 in rural Bates County west of Adrian, Missouri. He was the seventh of their eight children and the last surviving member of his family. He attended Hackler grade school and graduated from Ballard High School in 1954. He met his future wife, Dora Spears, at Ballard, and they were married June 12, 1953, the summer before his senior year. To this union were born three children, Phillip Clark, Steven Patrick, and Melinda Ann.
Thomas was always a hard worker and was employed at several different jobs during his lifetime, including 20+ years at the Meyer Lens Plant, a short stint at Anaconda Cable, custodian at Ballard School, and Vaughn’s Crating / Noble Wood Specialties for 35 years until he was no longer able to work due to his health. Other various jobs included OK Rubber Welders, fence building, masonry, mowing the cemetery and church property in Johnstown, hanging wall paper, farming and milking.
Thomas enjoyed picking up walnuts and pecans and spent many hours of his later life digging up those hated dandelions. Some of his hobbies included word search books, jig-saw puzzles, playing dominoes, and watching game shows on T.V.
His greatest joy was his 10 grandchildren, Brendan Carroll, Erinn Muller, Rachel Davis, Craig Carroll, Bevin Drew, Cailin Stahl, Dalyn Noble, Micah Noble, Sean Carroll, and Carra Jones; and also 19 great-grandchildren, Brian Carroll, Devin Carroll, Lara Bommer, Taegan Muller, Abigail Carroll, Tristen Muller, Eva Stahl, Walter Carroll, Bria Carroll, Anna Stahl, Eliza Stahl, Quincy Noble, Kinslee Carroll, Elaina Callahan, August Noble, Eedy Stahl, Thea Carroll, Tarynn Muller, and Eden Callahan with one on the way.
Thomas obeyed the gospel as a teen-ager and was a faithful Christian until his death. He has attended the Johnstown Church of Christ since 1960, serving as treasurer and caretaker for many years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 67 years, Dora; his brothers, Charles Jr. and Bobby Joe; and his sisters, Coraetta, Lina Lou, Margorie, Jesse, and Wanda. He is survived by his three children Clark (Connie) Carroll of Appleton City, Missouri, Steven (Eldonna) Carroll of Butler, Missouri, and Melinda (Paul) Noble of Appleton City, Missouri; two sisters-in-law; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren listed above; and many nieces and nephews.
