Thomas D. Carson, 59, of Humboldt passed away Thursday, October 13, 2016 at Humboldt County Memorial Hospital. A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 27, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home in Humboldt. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 28, 4:00 p.m. at Faith United Methodist Church in Humboldt, Reverend Christy Ehrle officiating.
Thomas Dean Carson was born October 28, 1956 in Washington, Iowa to Leo and Helen (Soukup) Carson. He attended Ainsworth Consolidated Schools until 6th grade, and he then graduated from Highland High School in 1975. In school Tom was active in sports such as basketball, football, and baseball. He was named first team all-conference pitcher his senior year.
In 1978 Tom suffered injuries in an automobile accident which caused paralysis in his lower limbs. He rehabilitated, and by 1980 was employed as a dispatcher for the Linn County Sheriff’s office in Cedar Rapids. In August of 1986 Tom began working as an Air Traffic Controller at the Flight Service Station in Wichita, Kansas. He transferred to Fort Dodge Flight Service in July, 1987 and worked there until his retirement from the Federal Aviation Administration in 2005. He last worked as a part-time dispatcher at the Humboldt County Law Enforcement Center.
On December 15, 1989 Tom united in marriage with Sarah Crossley at Faith United Methodist Church in Humboldt. On June 17, 1996 Tom and Sarah adopted their daughter Lauren from Romania.
Tom had many interests and loves including the Iowa Hawkeyes and the St. Louis Cardinals. He particularly loved helping people, playing cards, baseball, his friends, and most of all, his family. Tom stated that the two things of which he was most proud were marrying Sarah and adopting Lauren. In the early 1990s he acquired a handcycle, and became an avid cyclist. He rode in parts of RAGBRAI for a dozen years or so.
Cherishing his memory are wife Sarah and daughter Lauren. Siblings include Carolyn Carson (Judy Moxley) of Solon, Terry (Renee) Carson of Fort Dodge, Jack (Sue) Carson of Galesburg IL. Father also to Brittany (Brad Neilly) of Marion, Iowa. Brother-in-law to Nancy Kirkpatrick, Susan Fleck, Thomas (Debi) Crossley, Rebecca (Scott) Nierman, Jon (Kelly) Crossley, and Laura Crossley. Uncle to Tye (Dawn) Carson, Amy Pfeiffer, Molly (Tony) Buckman, Abby Carson, Jack Carson Jr. (Haydee Lozano), Christine (Jason) Halverson, Chad (Jennifer) Carson, Stacey (Chad) Huedepohl, April (John) Fleck, Erin Fleck, Hannah Fleck, Megan Nierman and Marni Nierman. Son-in-law to Alice Crossley.
Tom was preceded in death by Helen (mother), Leo (father), and Tim (brother) as well his father-in-law Dr. Norman Crossley.
The Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home of Humboldt is assisting the family.