Thomas George Wilson's Obituary
Thomas George Wilson: devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, veteran, teacher, and friend to everyone, passed away peacefully July 31, 2026, at the age of 83.
He was born October 5, 1942, in Springville, UT, the third of five children to George Glenn and Leona Averett Wilson. He grew up in a wonderful home surrounded by loving family which included many wonderful extended family, neighbors, and friends.
He attended school in Springville, graduating from Springville High School in 1960. During those years he worked on his Grandpa Averett’s farm and at his Dad’s Sinclair Service Station; he loved his time spent with his grandpa, dad, and brother, Glenn. He also enjoyed time with his extended family on many trips to the family cabin at Strawberry Reservoir and deer hunting at Shingle Mill in Hobble Creek Canyon.
He joined the 116th Combat Support Engineer Unit of the Utah National Guard in 1960. In 1961 he served a year in Fort Lewis, Washington, with the 116th CSE Company during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He loved his experiences and associations with his fellow soldiers and served twenty-two years in the Utah National Guard. He spent his last ten years serving as the unit recruiter where he was instrumental in enlisting many wonderful soldiers into the National Guard.
In 1963 he left to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southwest British Mission where he served for eight months as a branch president and ended his two years of service as a district leader.
In 1963 he met the love of his life when his sister Kathleen introduced him to Carol Jensen from Mapleton, Utah. She waited while he completed his mission and they were married in 1966 in the Salt Lake Temple. They spent over 60 years together where he loved her deeply and honored and served her devotedly. Her comfort and success was always his highest priority.
In 1971 he graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. He began his teaching career in Blackfoot, ID, in 1971, and returned to Utah in 1972 to teach at Provost Elementary, then Dixon Junior High, ending his 32 year career at Westridge Elementary School in Provo. He loved teaching; it didn’t matter if it was school, church, or family. He was a favorite teacher to the many children he taught and was respected by his peers.
Tom was friendly and outgoing; he enjoyed talking to anyone who would listen. He had a friendly smile, a warm heart, and never met a stranger – after introductions and chatting for a while, they always parted as friends. He was always busy fixing things around the house and “puttering” in his garage. Some of his grandchildren have fond memories of making and floating wooden boats in the ditch; as well as “helping” Grandpa make wooden swords and many other toys. “Tom’s Tacos” were a culinary delight and legendary with family and friends. When word got out that Tom was cooking tacos – family and friends came running. The records stand at over one hundred cooked in one evening and the individual record eaten by one person at seventeen.
Some of Tom’s favorite things were: Wendy’s Chili, A&W Root Beer, maple frosted donuts, sliced ham, his recliner, “duct tape”, music - classic country, Mo-Tab, watching relaxing music videos, and most important, spending time with his family and friends.
Tom is survived by his wife, Carol, of Springville, UT, and their six children:
Karen Driscoll, Ogden, UT; Todd Glenn and Paula Bearnson Wilson, Benjamin, UT; Krista Kay and Tim Clayson, Payson, UT; Julie and Kenny John, Payson, UT; Kevin George and Christie Wilkes Wilson, Mona, UT; Chad Ruel and Tracey Bundy Wilson, St. George, UT, and his sister Laurie Wilson. He is also survived by nineteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren with two on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents George and Leona Wilson and his siblings: Glenn Averett Wilson, Kathleen Binks, Pat Larsen and many other extended family members and dear friends.
A viewing will be held Thursday, August 6, 2026, 6:00-8:00 P.M. at the LDS chapel, 355 East Center Street, Springville, UT. Funeral services will be held Friday, August 7, 2026, 11:00 A.M. with a viewing prior to the services from 9:30-10:30 A.M. at the same location. Following the services, Tom will be buried with full military rites in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.
We will deeply miss his happy smile, his contagious laugh, and his unconditional love. We find great comfort knowing his mind is finally clear and he no longer suffers. We are eternally grateful for the wonderful care he received at the end of his life from so many amazing people including Nancy who was his devoted hospice nurse for almost two years; unofficially continuing her care and concern, becoming a beloved family friend for his remaining years. In addition, we are extremely grateful to Rebecca and her staff at Heritage Gardens Assisted Living, especially Jackie, Trinity, Tiffiny, and the entire staff of caregivers. We also thank Enhabit Home Health and Hospice: Adam, Ann, Heather, Shaylee, and so many other staff members who made his final days so comfortable. We love you all!
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