Dr. Thomas William Carver
Obituary
Dr. Thomas William Carver, 85, passed away on August 29, 2023, in Rome, Georgia.
Tom was born on June 12, 1938, in Pittsburgh, PA, the oldest of 3 sons of the late Charles Clark and Margaret Thomas Carver. After graduating from Irwin, PA high school he attended Tarkio College, MO where he earned a degree in Speech and Economics. For two years he worked in student affairs at his alma mater then he became Dean of Admissions at Doane College, Crete, NE. He earned his master’s degree at Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH before he became Dean of Men at Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA. He served as Dean of Students at Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA while earning his doctorate degree in Higher Education Administration at the University of Pittsburgh, PA. In July of 1978, the Carver family moved to Mt. Berry, GA where Tom was Vice President of Student Affairs at Berry College until his retirement in 2004. He continued to teach psychology and serve as a freshman mentor at Berry until 2018. At each institution where he was employed, he influenced students to attend graduate school and enter higher education administration. He was active in many professional organizations and earned many awards at every college where he was employed.
Tom was also active in several Presbyterian churches including First Presbyterian Church in Rome where he sang in the chancel choir, was an Elder, and taught The Bethel Bible Series.
He followed athletics at every college and was often referred to as the “quietest fan.” “The Ole Blind Mule” was also famous for exclaiming “bullroar” on the tennis courts.
Participating in Rome Little Theatre productions and serving on the planning committee of the Rome Prayer Breakfast brought him much pleasure.
However, his greatest pleasure was his family. On June 10, 1963, he married his college sweetheart and love of his life Elizabeth, (Betty) Martin Carver and they had 3 children – Richard, Robert, and Naomi. He involved them in many of the activities at each college where he worked. He was a proud PopPop of five grandchildren and he followed all of their athletic, educational, and musical activities.
Tom is survived by his wife, Betty, his children, Rick and Melanie Carver of Wintersville, OH, Rob and Heather Carver of Marietta, GA, and Naomi and Keith Williams, of Rome as well as grandchildren, Kody, Ella and Dean Carver and Abbey Williams Hays and her husband Hunter Hays. Also surviving is a brother, Chuck Carver, of Irwin, PA, and several nephews. A brother, Rick, predeceased Tom.
The family would like to express their utmost appreciation to Dr. Joe Vaughn, Dr. Chas Jackson, their staffs, and the staff at the Congestive Heart Failure Clinic.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Rome, GA on September 20th at 1:00 p.m., with a visitation reception to follow. Honorary pallbearers are Tom’s grandchildren, Abbey, Hunter, Ella, Dean, and Kody.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to The Tom and Betty Carver Scholarship at Berry College, Mt. Berry, GA or to the Cole Hughes Musser Newcomb Scholarship at Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA.
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