Thomas E. Carls , 77, of Sycamore, died Saturday, October 29, 2022, at his home after a long illness. Tom was surrounded by his devoted wife, Debbie, and his beloved family.  Tom was born on June 18, 1945 in Sycamore to Herman and Lois (Hardesty) Carls.  Tom grew up in Sycamore, graduated from Sycamore High School, and volunteered to join the U.S. Army.  After initially failing the height test, Tom retested (on tippy toes) and qualified.

Tom attended the Army Transportation School and became an aircraft mechanic and wing inspector.  After being recognized for his meticulous attention to detail in maintaining his "Bird," Tom was promoted to door gunner and became a member of the 56 ^th Transportation Company DS I Vietnam.  Tom and his crew were shot down twice. Tom was credited with saving the life of his dear friend when they crashed into a rice paddy field and his friend did not know how to swim.  Tom was awarded the National Defense Medal, Air Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Marksman Rifle M-1 Medal, and Good Conduct Medal in recognition for his service.

After serving in the Army, Tom owned and operated the Fargo Hotel, a 39 room hotel and 500 seat restaurant in Sycamore.  In 1972, he interviewed a young woman applying for a waitressing position and immediately informed his sister, who was the Fargo's bookkeeper, that he just met and hired his future wife!  Debbie and Tom married, and together hosted many weddings and other banquets for 40 years.  Tom was in his element behind the bar, charming patrons and regaling them with his keen sense of humor and kind, empathetic manner.  He also entertained the crowd on music nights with his beautiful singing voice and love of dancing.

Tom and Debbie raised three sons in Sycamore, Brad (56), Chad (53) and Thomas (43).   Tom was an avid White Sox fan and baseball card and memorabilia collector.  He was a kind, charismatic, bright light who charmed everyone he met with his twinkling blue eyes, his bright smile, and his kind, gentle manner.  Tom had a genuine interest in learning about everyone and there is nothing Tom wouldn't do to help out a friend and a stranger.  Tom and Debbie retired and spent half of their time in Ft. Myers, FL, where they enjoyed golfing, working out, and live music and dancing at their club on Friday nights.

Tom is survived by his wife Debbie, his sons Brad (Jessie), Chad (Regina) and Thomas, five grandchildren (Tyler (Brittany), Caylynn, Colton, Ethan and Kate), his brother Jerry (Diana), and his sister Cindy.  Tom was predeceased by his parents, Herman and Lois, and his brother Jim.

Tom's visitation will be on Friday, November 11 ^th from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Butala Funeral Home, 1405 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL.  Tom's funeral service and burial will be private.

If you prefer not to send flowers, the family would appreciate memorial donations to the Gary Sinise Foundation, P.O. Box 40726, Nashville, TN 40724, (615) 575-3500, garysinisefoundation.org/donate or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516, (855) 448-3997, support.woundedwarriorproject.org .