Thomas Aaron Carlson

Thomas (Tom) Aaron Carlson, 78, of Youngsville, NC, passed away on November 8, 2025 in Raleigh, NC.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 11am, with a memorial service to follow. Visitation will be held at Franklinton Baptist Church on Mason St, in Franklinton, NC.

Tom was born in Bath, NY to Thurston and Catherine Carlson on 11/4/1947. He graduated from Haverling High School as a member of the Class of 1965. Tom married the love of his life, Charleen Carlson (nee Utter), on 4/25/1981 in Hammondsport, NY. Tom was known as the consummate professional in the sales industry and could sell ice cubes in Antarctica. Tom retired in 2012 from Brentwood Carpets/Real Deal Flooring as a store manager.

Charleen was most affectionately known as "Charlie" by Tom, and the sun rose and set by her heartbeat. Next to her, there was nothing more important to Tom than spending time with his family, especially the grandbabies. Tom was a perpetual jokester and it will always remain a mystery how many birthdays and Christmas holidays were canceled as the kids and grandkids were growing up. Tom had the most vibrant soul, an unmatched passion for cooking on the grill, and an immeasurable love of music. In his younger days you could find him on the lake searching for the "big fish" or in the woods looking for the "big buck." His children were known to say that he could put cardboard on the grill and it would taste like steak. Those who knew Tom also knew that he was a die-hard Carolina Hurricanes fan and held season tickets (with his best friend Clyde) from the time they moved to Raleigh in 1999 until 2021.

Tom is preceded in death by his mother and father, as well as his beloved sisters, Ingra and Diane.

Tom is survived by his wife: Charleen, children: Tammy Layne (Allan) Texas, Greg Carlson of Melbourne, FL, April Holden (Dave) of Clayton, NC, Matt Carlson (Deah) of Hudson, FL and Adam Carlson (Krista) of Franklinton, NC, Sister: Colleen Hobbs (Nelson) of Mebane, NC, 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

The family of Tom Carlson wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Rex Hospital 4 West and the team at Rex MSICU.

We will forever miss you and love you, dad. Please look after us, but know that we will be OK down here and we will take care of mom.

Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.

Bright Funeral Home is serving the Carlson family.