Thomas Roger “Tom” Carlton was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on November 19, 1959, to Betty Sue and Jimmy Lee Carlton. Tom attended school at Crooked Oak and Mid-Del Schools in Del City and attended College at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma.

Tom was initiated into the Gamma Xi Chapter of Phi Kappa Tau on 04/24/1980. He was very proud to be a “Phi Tau” and cherished his Fraternity Brothers and their adventures and boy were there adventures!

Tom became involved with future generations of Phi Taus as a member of the Board of Governors. He attended several national meetings and left an impression of fellowship throughout the national fraternity. While living in Moline, Illinois, he became involved with the Beta Chi chapter at Southern Illinois University. Tom made friends quickly everywhere he went and touched the lives of countless people, always doing his best to stay in touch with them. He is lovingly known as “Uncle Tom” to all his friends’ children. Tom embraced life and took advantage of every opportunity he was presented. He traveled across the United States for many years while helping to build a business. He lived in Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois and most recently, Midwest City, OK where he was employed at Locke Supply.

Tom was an avid and fierce fan of the Oklahoma Sooners and the Green Bay Packers football teams. He loved to read and constantly added to his robust vocabulary. It is widely known that Tom preferred to read the works of Louis L’Amour over attending class. Tom also liked to sing and play his guitar and was somewhat of a modern day “Troubadour.”

Tom unexpectedly passed away at the age of 63. Few Phi Taus have been as universally liked and respected. He was admired by Brothers young and old and embodied the Spirit of Brotherhood so many others find elusive. It seems Tom was constantly laughing and was always the center of attention, whether he tried to be or not. He had a genuine love for people, and although cliché, would quite literally give the shirt off his back. The Brotherhood seems a little less bright with Tom’s passing. He meant that much.

Louis L’Amour said, “No man knows the hour of his ending, nor can he choose the place or the manner of his going. To each it is given to die proudly, to die well, and this is, indeed, the final measure of the man.” Tom Carlton was the best kind of man. He measured up and will be missed by so many.