Colonel Carl Thomas Haroz, D.D.S., M.S.

Colonel Carl Thomas (Tom) Haroz, D.D.S., M.S.

Carl Thomas (Tom) Haroz, age 83, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2020, due to complications related to chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which he had battled for many years.  He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Judith (Judy); his four daughters, Lezlie Haroz, Tammy Haroz (Rick Roth), Kimberly Murphy (Michael Murphy), and Carla Haroz (Michael Way); four grandchildren, Brian, Richard, Lezlie Ayn, and Ramsay; five siblings, Charlotte Renne, Alexandria Rose, Mary Tamm, Donald Haroz, and Michael Haroz; and numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Alexander and Marguerite Haroz, and one brother, Richard Haroz.

Born in Quincy, Illinois, Tom enjoyed a happy childhood, surrounded by a large, extended family, including his father’s parents, Carim and Sadie (Hersheway) Haroz, who had immigrated to the U.S. from what is now Lebanon; his mother’s parents, George and Catherine (Seifert) Thomas, who were children of immigrants from what is now Belgium and Germany, respectively; and many uncles, aunts, and cousins.  During this time, Tom developed a love of baseball and became a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals.  Although he only lived there until the age of 11, Tom always had fond memories of Quincy and visited several times during his life, including in 2017 for a special 80th-birthday visit.

In 1948, Tom’s father moved the family to Dallas, Texas, where he had been offered a new position by his employer, Prudential Life Insurance Co.  Their large family lived in a modest, three-bedroom house in which Tom shared a bedroom with his three brothers.  Although they did not have material wealth, their parents ensured that their children developed the values and work ethic that would enable them to thrive.  Their beloved mother raised them in the Catholic faith, and she inspired all her children to obtain a good education.

An outgoing, gregarious person, Tom made friends easily and was a star athlete on Highland Park High School’s baseball and track teams.  After graduating from high school, Tom studied at the University of Texas at Arlington and at SMU.  In 1957, he met his future bride, Judy, and they married in 1958.  They subsequently moved to Houston, where Tom enrolled in the dental school of the University of Texas.  During their four years in Houston, Tom and Judy both worked, while also raising two infant daughters.

Tom joined the U.S. Air Force as a dentist in 1963.  Subsequently, Tom and Judy moved 10 times, and their family expanded with the birth of two more daughters.  They ultimately settled in Albuquerque, where Tom retired from the Air Force in 1992, and their youngest daughter graduated from La Cueva High School.  After retiring from the military, Tom worked for several years as a “mobile” dentist, and Judy worked as his assistant.  Together, they travelled throughout the state, along with their Scottie dog, Bonnie, to provide dental services to schoolchildren.

In his later years, Tom remained active, particularly in sports, including golf, skiing, tennis, and softball.  In his 70’s, he played on the Bears’ senior softball team, through which he made many friends.  He was particularly proud when his youngest daughter, Carla, whom he had taught to play softball, was able to join the team as a guest player.  His friendships with his teammates always were important to him, and he was grateful that several of them participated in his and Judy’s 60th-anniversary celebration in 2018.

While Tom had many academic and professional accomplishments over the course of his life, family is what always mattered to him most.  He did everything he could to support his daughters’ educational and personal aspirations.  It was also always important to him to keep in close contact with his siblings, who had dispersed across the globe, and he loved participating in family reunions with them and their families.  The last reunion, in 2016, brought together four generations of the family, and he relished every moment of it.

Tom will be remembered for his warmth, humor, and devotion to duty and to family.  He made a huge impact on many people, and his legacy will live on in their hearts.

Tom’s last wishes were to be cremated and placed at Arlington National Cemetery.  Family members and friends will be notified when a ceremony will take place.