Thomas Pullen Iii

THOMAS GRANVILLE PULLEN III, 94, of Winston-Salem completed a life well-lived on August 11, 2021. He was born December 30, 1926, in Manassas, Virginia, to Jesse Powers and Virginia Andrews Pullen, the only son among three sisters. After his graduation from George Washington High School in Danville, Virginia, most of his male classmates went directly to World War II. Tom at 17, enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943, because he was too young to be drafted. He enrolled at Penn State University for a semester until going into the Army Air Corps the following year. As a flight traffic clerk, Tom flew with crews on a Douglas C-54 aircraft. Following one flight in August 1945, he was in Japan after Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed. After the war, Tom returned to Penn State on the GI bill, and graduated with an electrical engineering degree in 1950. He met the love of his life, Karolyn, at Main Street Methodist Church in Danville, when her older sister, Mary Lou, introduced them. They married June 24, 1950 and raised six children. Tom spent his professional career with Western Electric, a subsidiary of AT&T. In 1969, he traveled on business to Iran the year before the Shah was deposed. His 35-year career was followed by 15 years consulting with Anderson and Associates of Blacksburg, Virginia. Tom served on the board of directors for Truliant Federal Credit Union and was a committed member of Trinity Methodist Church. He was an avid pilot and tenor who sang a love song to his wife every day. He enjoyed puns, riddles, and people, savoring the simple joys of life. Tom is survived by his wife of 71 years, Karolyn, and children Tom (Debbie), Beth Hendershot (Norman), Karolyn Stith (David), Jonathan (Ruby), Elaine Garrison (Mitch) and David. Tom and Karolyn’s family has been blessed with 17 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his older sisters Virginia and Anne. Surviving is Tom’s younger sister, Marjorie Pritchard. All arrangements have been postponed until further notice. Donations may be sent to Trinity United Methodist Church, 3819 Country Club Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27104.