Thomas Carn Jr.

1932 - 2025

Thomas Harold Carn Jr

1932-2025

Salt Lake City, UTThomas Harold Carn Jr., age 92, passed away peacefully in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 6, 2025, of natural causes. Thomas was born on October 26, 1932, and went by the names Thomas, Tom, and Harold.

Tom was born and grew up in Salt Lake City, the son of Thomas Harold Carn Sr. and Thelma Ford Carn Hancock. He graduated from East High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Utah in the class of '54. On June 30, 1951, he married Dorothy Thatcher (Dottie) in the Salt Lake Temple. Tom and Dottie have five children: Beverly Ann (Bev), Lori Jean, Sharon Lynn, Mary Ann, and Thomas Daniel (Dan).

As a young boy, Tom found an interest in bikes, trains, and cars. He also taught himself to play the piano, enjoying rock, blues, and boogie-woogie.

Tom served in the army in Fort Lewis, Washington, from 1954 to 1956, where Beverly was born. They returned to Salt Lake, where Tom worked with his mother, Thelma, in the motel business, eventually purchasing the Covered Wagon and Continental Motels. They owned and operated the two motels, both located on North Temple, in Salt Lake City, until selling the Covered Wagon in 1996 and the Continental several years later.

Tom had a talent as a mechanic, repairing whatever had broken. Cars were his specialty. As a lifelong car racing fan and sometimes participant, in 1989, Tom and Dottie purchased Bonneville Raceway. With the help of their son Dan, they ran the track, featuring a full schedule of Drag, Stock, and Motorcycle racing. In 1996, they sold Bonneville, and the new owner changed the name to Rocky Mountain Raceway. Tom remained a loyal fan until the track's final race in 2018.

Tom loved skiing and water skiing. His family cherishes many fond memories of boating outings to local reservoirs and Lake Powell. Tom enjoyed long water ski rides, once skiing over thirty miles from Rainbow Bridge to Bullfrog Marina.

Tom's children, their spouses, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were fortunate to benefit from his and Dottie's generosity, love, and willingness to help in times of need. He was always supportive of his family's interests and life events. We will remember him for his loyalty and integrity.

Tom experienced a steady decline in his final years and developed a quiet patience and gratitude for anyone who helped him in any way. Everyone who cared for him, including his wife, a family friend, the staff and nurses at Sunridge Assisted Living, and hospice workers, all showed affection and loved him dearly.

Survived by wife, Dorothy; Children, Beverly Ronnow (Lorin), Lori McDonald (Steve), Sharon McConnell (Walter), Mary Carn, and Dan Carn (Stephanie Collett). Grandchildren, Leah Ronnow (Chris Brule), Tyson Ronnow (Megan Thackeray), Christian Ronnow, David Ronnow, Sophie McDonald, Madeline McConnell, Jonathan Machtig, Thomas (Scottie) Carn, Halle Carn, and five great-grandchildren. Pre-deceased by one sister, Donna Jean Carn Sorensen.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am, on October 21 at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, There will be a gathering and viewing starting at 10 am. We welcome friends to join our family to honor Tom's life and legacy. Internment will follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. -