Thomas ("Tommy") Vernon Carroll, 79, of Arlington, Texas, passed away peacefully the morning of October 4, 2026. A service celebrating his life will be held this Thursday afternoon, October 8th, at 2:30 p.m. at Martin Thompson & Son Funeral Home at 6009 Wedgwood Drive in Fort Worth. 

Tommy was raised in Magnolia, Arkansas, and attended Magnolia High School, where he met and dated Parrie Jane Rushton. As they transitioned to college, they drifted away and married others, but ultimately found each other again after their divorces. This time, together the two would invest in a relationship that would last the rest of their lives. 

A proud member of the Air Force, Tommy spent time during the Vietnam War stationed in Europe, developing his skills as an attaché to his commanding officer. On his return to the United States, he became an accomplished engineer, spending many years with Otis Engineering in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. 

A relaxed man for whom smiles and a laugh always came easily, Tommy was able to develop friends in any setting, whether it was Sunday school, the golf course, or even in the assisted care facility where he spent the last year of his life. For Tommy, sitting in his recliner while petting beloved cats Patches or Precious in his lap and watching a Cowboys or Razorbacks game came close to experiencing the divine here on Earth. 

Tommy was proud to be father to Brian Carroll (Florida) as well as father-in-law to Misty and granddad to Nicholas and Mackenzie. He was brother to Janet Hart, Jerry Carroll, and Suzanne Carroll (all of Missouri), as well as uncle to Rushton Hurley (California), Elizabeth Hurley Burks (DC), Edward Hurley (Arkansas) and Frank David Selman (Arkansas). 

The love of Tommy's life is Parrie Jane. Together they traveled, played golf, doted on their kitties, savored good restaurants, enjoyed watching home improvement shows, and spent an impressive amount of time holding hands. They were two of the very fortunate people in this world to be married to their best friend. 

May we all experience the joy of such love, and Tommy, may you rest in peace.