Merle "Tom" Thomas Carlson

Merle Thomas ("Tom") Carlson, 84 passed away peacefully on September 22, 2017.  He was born November 28, 1932 to the late Merle Dixon Carlson and Helen Lucille Rubado Carlson in Lodgepole, Nebraska. Tom grew up in Nebraska and attended Garden County High School in Oshkosh, graduating in 1950.  He served a tour of duty in the Korean War, and upon returning attended the University of Nebraska, where he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration in 1957. He moved to Washington, D.C. where he earned two Master's Degrees -- one in Public Administration from George Washington University, one in Economics from American University.  He held jobs with the United States government with the Internal Revenue Service, and with the Department of Foreign Commerce.  In 1961, he married Jacqueline Elizabeth Viau. In 1963 Tom and Jackie moved to Texas. In 1964, Tom graduated from the Herman Hospital School of Physical Therapy in Houston. In 1968, they moved to Wharton, Texas where Tom co-founded a South Texas area Physical Therapy practice with his brother Jim. Tom made a career in physical therapy, and was the CEO of Healthfocus, one of the largest contract physical therapy providers in the country during the 1970's and 80's. Tom was the chairman of the Wharton County Republican Party for almost 25 years. He was also active in Wharton Lions Club, The Wharton American Legion and Knights of Columbus. Tom was a loving husband and father -- fun-loving, and eternally optimistic. Whenever anyone asked how he was doing, his answer was always “FANTASTIC!” He loved to travel, and enjoyed everything outdoors -- running, biking, hunting, fishing. He also loved to dance, and was the “king of the jitterbug”. He is preceded in death by his brothers James Carlson and Fr. Gerald Carlson, and his sister Sr. Lois Jean Carlson.  He is survived by his wife of 56 years Jacqueline Carlson; his brothers, Charles Carlson and Donald Carlson; his son, Thomas Carlson and wife, Melissa; son, John Carlson and wife, Cristina; daughter, Deborah Carlson and husband, E.J. Lee, and daughter Nancy Alvarez; grandchildren, Nicholas Carlson, Andrew Carlson, Rachel Carlson, Rebecca Carlson, Alexander Carlson, Massimo Alvarez, and Mia Alvarez. Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening, September 26 after 6 pm with a rosary recited at 7pm at the Chapel of Wharton Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 27 at 10 am at Holy Family Catholic Church in Wharton with Father Bob Knippenberg officiating. The Rite of Committal and Burial will take place in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in his memory to Holy Family Catholic Church Building Fund. Funeral services are under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be left at whartonfuneralhome.com