Thomas R. Carroll

Thomas Ruhl Carroll, 63, of Davenport, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2023 at his home in Naples, Florida, surrounded by his family. Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Davenport. Burial to follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 10, 2023 at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport.

Tom was born on June 20, 1959 to Edmund H. and Nancy (Ruhl) Carroll. He graduated from Assumption High School in Davenport before continuing on to St. Thomas University in Minneapolis where he graduated with a degree in Finance.

Tom was born into a family of eight, growing up in a fast-paced house on Mississippi Avenue. From an early age, he had a knack for business and entrepreneurship, beginning with a neighborhood paper route covering the streets of Davenport. His dog Shannon would lead the way as a best friend and protective guide, with the two pals always ending the route at Mt. Ida Bakery for treats. Shannon was just the beginning of his lifelong connection with Golden Retrievers, with Henry being his final pal. As a teenager, Tom started a snow removal and lawn service business, and during his college summers he launched the T&T Painting Company.

After his graduation from St. Thomas, Tom built a prosperous career in commercial real estate, specializing in investment sales, land and office development, and leasing. Tom was an “idea guy,” as he called it.  He always saw the big picture and was energized by putting a deal together that others didn’t readily see. Tom was a true visionary and pioneer of Davenport’s commercial development and growth. When he wasn’t working, you could find Tom playing daily pick-up basketball at the YMCA with friends. He also invested much of his time and energy serving the community in Davenport’s City Council as a respected 6^th Ward Alderman from 1992 to 2000. He took great pride in public service and was heavily involved in Riverside Development, including the extension of the bike path into Bettendorf. Tom’s work ethic, commitment, and love for the community were admirable to so many.

As he started to transition into “retirement,” Tom doubled-down on spending time doing the things he loved most. Tom was a dedicated Iowa Hawkeye fan and loved joining his friends on a game day drive from Davenport to Iowa City. He was also an avid golfer from a young age. When he wasn’t on his home course, Crow Valley Golf Club, he was playing with the “No Strokes Folks” at Pelican Marsh in Naples. He was so proud of reaching his career-best of a three handicap, shooting his lowest round ever with a score of 69 at Crow Valley in April 2020. Even if he wasn’t golfing, the course was truly his happy place. His beloved dog Henry often accompanied him in the passenger seat of his golf cart, chasing squirrels. You could always find him catching a good sunset and appreciating special moments with his wife Elizabeth by his side. They were so blessed to have traveled to many places, including a wonderful tour last fall of the Greek & Turkish Islands with a climb of the Acropolis.

Above all, Tom was a true family man. He cherished spending time with his children and grandchildren and adored weekly Sunday night dinners with the Darrow family. His infectious smile and kind heart were just two of the countless qualities that drew so many to him. Tom made it a point to incorporate humor and joy in all aspects of life, often remarking that “if you don’t have humor, you don’t have anything.”

Tom is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Darrow Carroll; his children, Kristin Carroll, Thomas Ruhl Carroll Jr., Sara (Ryan) Braun, Carrie (Adam) Seyb, Cassandra (Adam) Berneking and Courtney Johnson; his siblings, Anne (Byron) Vandenberg, Catherine (Tim) Thompson, Ed (Molly) Carroll, Margaret Carroll, Liz (Mike) Schmid, Chuck (Carrie) Carroll and John (Marnie) Carroll; and his grandchildren, Charles, Harvey, George and Catherine Seyb and Harper, Eloise and Lilah Berneking. He was preceded in death by his parents.