Thomas Ralph "Tom" Carter

Thomas 'Tom' Ralph Carter, 77, of Morristown passed away on June 25, 2016.

Tom was a loving husband and father. He and Jean were married in 1961 and shared many happy years raising their family. From 1981-2006, Tom owned and operated Carter's Catering Company, which provided breakfast, lunch and break service for various companies in Grainger County and Bean Station. He was known as ""Food Man"" by many of his customers and relished entertaining them with his stories and jokes over the years.

Tom loved being with people, talking to everybody, and making everyone laugh. He had a passion for outdoor activities and vegetable gardening. Tom always had a big smile on his face when he drove his tractors and four wheelers (sometimes a little too fast). He enjoyed buying, selling and trading everything such as knives, cars, and farm equipment. Tom's friends and family could always count on him being ready to have a good time.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Jean; parents, James and Kate Carter; sisters, Sue Robinette, Addie Price, Bea Jones, Ella Jones and Grace Johnson; brothers, Abe, Onza and Herbert Carter.

Tom is survived by his son, Donny Carter and wife Gail of Morristown; son, Danny Carter and wife Angie of Rocky Mount, NC; daughter, Marta Carter Wilson and husband Robert of Harrisonburg, VA; grandchildren, Sage, Knox and Kase Carter, Ashley Carter McClellan (John and family), Justin Baskette (Ashlea and family) and Stacey Kesterson (Josh and family); sisters, Sallie Shivley and Theda Price; brother and sister-in-law, Carson and JoAnn Carter; several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the East Chapel of Allen Funeral Home. Funeral services with the Rev. Richard Long officiating will be held at 7 p.m. on June 28 immediately following the visitation.

On Wednesday, June 29 at 10 a.m., family and friends will meet for a graveside service at Hamblen Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom's memory may be made to Meals on Wheels America.

Arrangements by Allen Funeral Home.


This obituary was originally published in the Citizen Tribune.