Chronological Highlights

1918 — Birth Year

Thomas is born on December 10 in Ben Lomond, Arkansas, just one month after World War I ends and during the height of the Spanish Flu pandemic.

1919 — Prohibition Begins

The Eighteenth Amendment ushers in nationwide Prohibition, shaping the culture of Thomas’s childhood years.

1920 — The Roaring Twenties

Census records list the Carver family in Jackson Township, Little River County, Arkansas, where rural traditions continue amid national prosperity.

1929 — The Great Depression

The stock market crash hits when Thomas is eleven, instilling the frugality and resilience that define his generation.

1935 — The FBI Emerges

At seventeen, Thomas witnesses the federal government expanding its role in law enforcement, signaling broader societal change.

1940 — Military Registration

Thomas registers for the draft as global conflict escalates, demonstrating his readiness to serve.

1941–1945 — World War II

As the United States enters World War II, Thomas stands among millions of Americans contributing to the war effort at home and abroad.

1951 — Birth of Thomas Michael

Thomas and Vernie welcome their son during the post-war baby boom, beginning a new family chapter.

1963 — Passing of John Thomas Carver

Thomas loses his father the same year the nation mourns President John F. Kennedy, linking personal grief with national sorrow.

1979 — Thomas’s Passing

Thomas dies on June 13 in Texarkana, Texas, after witnessing decades of technological and cultural transformation.

Further Reading

• Biography — Dive deeper into each period of his life.
• Places — Explore the locations highlighted throughout the timeline.
• Memories & Tributes — Add personal moments to the historical record.