of Mt. Vernon,

August 10, 1947 - July 1, 2024

Thomas Alva Carrigan Jr, also known as Tommy by his childhood friends, Tom in his adult life and Boo by his grandchildren and great grandchildren, went to be with his Lord and Savior on July 1, 2024 surrounded by his family.

Tommy was born on Aug 10, 1947 to Thomas Alva Carrigan Sr. and Grace Ann Lovell Carrigan in Brownwood, Texas. He graduated high school in Denton Texas and later graduated from University of North Texas with degrees in mathematics and industrial arts. Later Tom joined the Air Force, first in his class to solo in flight and jet training and flew the F-4 Phantom fighter. After leaving the service, Tom served as chief pilot for commuter airline, Rio Air, then eventually flew for American Airlines, where he retired as Captain on the 737, in August of 2007. In retirement, he joined his wife, Shirley Carrigan, in their antique business on the square in downtown Denton, Texas, ''W. Douglas Antiques'', where he specialized in repairing cuckoo and grandfather clocks, until they closed the shop in 2015 and moved to Little Rock, Arkansas to enjoy retirement. Tom also had a passion for gun collecting, coin collecting, loved going to auctions and spending time with family.

Tom was preceded in death by his loving wife, Shirley Gene Carrigan; his father, Thomas Alva Carrigan Sr; mother, Grace Ann Lovell Carrigan; sister, Patricia McCreary; brother-in-law, Larry McCreary; son, William Douglas Lee Jr. and his dear cat, ''Mr. Buddy''. He is survived by his daughter, Laurie Lee; son, John Carrigan (Heather); daughter, Allison Webber; daughter, Valerie Van Gorp (Sam); granddaughters, Margaret Ann Henley (Cody), Hannah Cummings, Madison Perdue, Lacy Webber, Piper Van Gorp; grandsons, Devin Carrigan, Dravin Alford, Jack Van Gorp, Griffin Webber and great grandchildren, William, Benjamin and Raife and numerous other family members. We would be remiss not to mention our Boo's fur babies, cats, Lacie and Callie.

Tom had a passion for Jesus, his faith was foundational and evident in his life. He faithfully attended St. Margaret's Episcopal Church of Little Rock, Arkansas. Tom was also known for his sense of adventure, evident in his chosen profession, his late summer and fall bird hunting and driving his corvette too fast. In his last days, he defiantly jumped into the swimming pool, to the delight (and horror) of his family, defying the cancer as long as he possibly could. Tom had a brilliant mind and spent countless hours tinkering in his shop and explaining to his family how things worked in the world around us, even if his audience was still confused after the first 10 minutes. He was the best Boo to his grandchildren, known for his sense of humor, roller blading, Cinnabon eating and Xbox playing.

We know he is now dancing in heaven with his beloved wife, Shirley (our dear Nana), having to explain his purchase of that Corvette after her passing, that he affectionately named after her and then dutifully fetching her pillows and tea. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Family and friends are invited to attend a graveside service at 2pm on Friday, July 5th at Memorial Park Cemetery, 6707 Dollarway Rd, White Hall, Arkansas 71602, immediately followed by a reception celebrating his life at the First Baptist Church of White Hall, Arkansas 71602.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his honor to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation http://t2t.org

Sign Guestbook

4 Condolence(s)