Carlton served in the Air Force and retired from Bell Atlantic as a 1st Level Supervisor. In his younger years, he was a mechanic for the Air Force and also worked on a ranch out in California breaking and training horses which he enjoyed dearly. When he moved out to Virginia, he worked for the telephone company for 30 years, training horses at the farm in his down time before retiring. In his later years he played golf, he went fishing, he went to car shows, train shows, and gun shows. He took pride in his gardening. A simple man with a love of multiple passions. He had a dry sense of humor and was quick to make a joke, he loved to instigate if someone was feeling upset and when you would get mad he’d look at you with a smile and laugh. While he may not have been the most affectionate man he had his subtle ways of letting you know he cared. Whether it be by making you laugh, or giving timeless advice from his youth. He was a good friend, a wonderful husband, a great father, an excellent grandfather.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Rita L. Thomas; daughter, Jann Thomas; grandson, Shawn Thomas.
A visitation for Carlton will be held Friday, June 28, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home, 601 N Witchduck Rd, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462.
