Thomas Pettis Glanton

Thomas Pettis Glanton, a native Georgian and eleventh generation American, died December 3, 2024. He was born in Newnan, Georgia on February 21, 1940, and raised in Grantville, Georgia, the son of Thomas Abner Glanton and Juliette Baker Glanton, both of whom preceded him in death. His sister, Sharon Glanton Meltzer, also preceded him.
He is survived by two children, Wynn and Glynn Grisham and Tom and Kelly Glanton, all of Carrollton, Georgia. He was abundantly blessed with six grandchildren and their spouses, Lauren Grisham, Melissa Christensen, Pete and Curry Glanton, Grace and Evan Brooks, Bess and Luke Waters, and Carly and Conner Mount, as well as eleven great grandchildren with two more expected in 2025. Additionally, Tom leaves behind his dear friend and companion, Gayle Gragg of Dallas, Georgia.
Tom Glanton was a dreamer, a leader and a servant. He dreamed about the possibility of things that many thought to be impossible. He believed in and followed the dreams of John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King. He was a leader and devoted servant to his country, his community, and most importantly to God and his faith.
After graduation from Newnan High School in 1958, where he was student body President and captain of the Newnan Tigers football team, he went to Auburn University, graduating Cum Laude with a BS Degree in Business. He was a lifelong fan of Auburn Tigers football, proudly sporting his hat with the Auburn mascot almost every day.
Tom was honored to serve his country in the United States Air Force from 1962 to 1965, earning the Air Force Commendation Medal for meritorious service during the Cuban missile crisis. After his military service, he earned a Master of Science Degree in 1970 while working for Georgia Tech as an economic development specialist. This was the springboard to his career as a small business professional and entrepreneur. Tom served as CEO of four small business corporations and as general partner of numerous real estate development partnerships. In the later years of his career, he was a practicing Certified Senior Advisor in all areas of senior citizens' financial concerns and issues.
During his twenty-year residency in Carrollton, Tom was an active participant in the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club, the Jaycees and Rotary International. He served as Chairman of the administrative board of the First United Methodist Church of Carrollton in 1973 and 1974. With other members of his Sunday school class and the MYF group that he led, Tom helped open the first clothing bank in Carrollton, meeting the needs of underserved community members. His passion for the philosophies of JFK and MLK led him to enter local politics. He was an elected member of the Georgia General Assembly from 1975 through 1978 serving his constituents in Carroll and surrounding counties.
Tom lived many years in Dallas, Georgia where he formed countless special friendships. He was an active member of the Dallas First United Methodist Church, serving as chairperson of the Staff Parrish Relations Committee, singing bass in the church choir every Sunday and as teacher for the Seekers Sunday school class. He was the founding member and trainer for the Stephens Ministry program at DFUMC.
Special thanks to the memory care staff at Laurel Glen of Carrollton and Traditions Hospice for providing loving care during his last days.
Friends and family will gather to remember and celebrate Tom's life at a memorial service at the Community First United Methodist Church in Carrollton on January 10, 2025, at 2:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to The Tanner Neurology Fund with Tanner Medical Foundation: P.O. Box 695 Carrollton, GA 30112.
Messages of condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.almonfuneralhome.com.
Almon Funeral Home Carrollton.