Thomas Karakad

May 9, 1959 - January 14, 2021

Thomas Karakad May 5th, 1959 – January 14th, 2021 Thomas Karakad, 61, was called home to be with his parents and the Lord on Thursday, January 14th, 2021 at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, Florida. He was born in Rani, Kerala, India on May 9th, 1959 to the predeceased Dr. Abraham C Thomas and Mrs. Grace Thomas. Tom Karakad was the youngest of two brothers, older brother Abe Thomas. As a child, Tom traveled back and forth between America and India but settled in Los Angeles, California as an adult. After graduating high school, he went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in microbiology through the University of California Los Angeles. He met and married his former spouse, Susan M Karakad in Los Angeles, California on January 4th, 1986. He moved to Florida with his wife and two children, Nathan and Rebecca, in 2000 where he worked in telecommunication before opening his own franchise tutoring center. Tom was an avid lover of music, loved teaching children, and loved the Lord. He combined these passions by helping create the St. Marks Mar Thoma Church youth worship group in the church’s early days. He was an active participant of Bell Shoal Baptist Church in Brandon, FL. Tom was previously a long-time member of the Mar Thoma Church of Los Angeles, California and more recently was a member of St. Mark’s Mar Thoma Church in Tampa, Florida. Tom loved to laugh and have a good time; no one was ever a stranger when he was around. Much like his parents, Tom made friends easily and treated everyone like family. His kind and gentle nature allowed him to be a wonderful educator and entrepreneur. His business, Kumon of Temple Terrace was a staple in the area and helped many children in their academic carrier. Tom is lovingly remembered by his two children son Nathan and daughter Rebecca. He will also be forever remembered as a brother to Abe and a loving cousin and friend to his extended family and friends. He was a force for God and loved by all who met him. To know Tom was to know the true meaning of charisma and having a good time. His unyielding faith in the Lord allowed him to serve the Lord even on his hardest days and would stop at nothing to see others smile. He will be remembered forever and greatly missed by all. The viewing and interment will be Saturday, January 23rd, 2021 from 11am to 2:30pm at Sunset Funeral Home and Memory Gardens on 11005 N US-301, Thonotosassa, Florida 33592. Thank you for all your condolences and prayers through this difficult time.