More detail on this person: Death of Tom
Carrell
From: darrell11@charter.net
To: mglaw@earthlink.net
Subject: Death of Tom Carrell
Date: Sep 5, 2019 8:52 PM
Mike, You probably have this already, but just to
make sure. Darrell
Carrell, Thomas Ray
Dates in the 57th - 67-68
Rank - MOS - Major - Pilot
Birth Date: 04 August 1942
Salina, KS
DAT Date: 30 August 2019
Hidden Valley Lake, IN
Additional Information - Obituary
Thomas (Tom) Ray Carrell, 77, of Hidden Valley
Lake, Indiana passed away after a short battle
with lung cancer on the evening of August 30, 2019
at home surrounded by his family. Tom was born on
August 4, 1942 in Salina, Kansas to Virgil Ray and
Mary Elizabeth (Lockwood) Carrell. He married
Mary Lou Tribble on December 24, 1964 in Fort
Scott, Kansas.
After graduating from Limestone High School,
Limestone, Maine in 1960, he joined the US Navy
where he served until 1963 as a dental technician.
In 1964 Tom enlisted in the US Army where he
served for 18 years. During this time he completed
two tours in Viet Nam. From 1967-1968 he had the
honor of serving with the 170th Assault Helicopter
Company and the 57th AHC flying MAC V/SOG
missions and from 1970-1971 he was an in country
instructor pilot for the OH6 helicopter. From 1971
to 1978 he served with the Field Artillery working
with Pershing Missiles. In 1978 he returned to his
love of flying helicopters until his retirement in
1981. During his time in the military he graduated
from Cameron University, Lawton, OK with a
bachelor degree in Business Administration and
Military Science.
After retiring from the military in 1981, Tom
became an electronic tech and began a career
working for Aladdin's Castle/NAMCO
Cyber-entertainment where he rose to the level of
National Field Operations Manager. After a second
retirement he became a local small business owner
until his final retirement in 2003. Tom then spent
his time working various part-time jobs, riding
his motorcycle and being a wood turner.
Tom was a member of the Special Operations
Association, Special Operations Association
Riders, Viet Nam Helicopter Pilots Association,
170th Assault Helicopter Company, American
Legion, and the Southeast Indiana Wood Turner's
Guild. He was also a member and very involved with
the Dearborn Hills United Methodist Church.
Tom was preceded in death by his father, Virgil
Ray Carrell and his mother Mary Elizabeth
(Lockwood) Carrell. He is survived by his wife
Mary Lou (Tribble) Carrell, daughter Michelle L.
(Chuck) Cranfield, son David R. Carrell,
granddaughter Meghan M. (fiancé Mitch Anderson)
Cranfield, grandson Joshua M. Carrell, sister
Nancy J. (Harlan) Weitzenkamp, brother James M.
(Gina Ledbetter) Carrell and numerous nieces and
nephews.
Family and friends will be received on Friday,
September 13, 2019 from 6pm to 8pm at Dearborn
Hills United Methodist Church,Bright, Indiana. An
additional visitation from 9am to 10am at Dearborn
Hills United Methodist Church. Funeral services
will be held Saturday, September 14, 2019 at noon,
graveside at Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery,
1415 MSH North Gate Road, Madison, Indiana
47250, Pastor Bob Cannon officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the
Special Operations Association Foundation
www.soafoundation.net or PO BOX 335461, North
Las Vegas, NV 89033 phone - 702-523-8429.
To send flowers to the family of Thomas Carrell,
please visit Tribute Store.
https://www.fitchdenney.com/obituaries/obituary-li
stings?obId=7093212
Passing of a Gladiator
From: Sam Moore Burial information: Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery
This information was last updated 09/05/2019
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site:
04/13/2025
Copyright © 1998 - 2025 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association