Tom Banks Carvey Jr
A gentle man and a gentleman, Tom was known to his many friends, co-workers, and family for his captivating beating sense of humor and easy laugh, but was humble and expressed love and kindness. His is missed!
Tom was born April 12, 1922, in Fort Worth, Texas, to Tom Banks Carvey and Florence Haney Carvey. He passed away January 8, 2026, with his wife of 52 years, Donna, by his side, at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital from complications of a fractured hip.
His father’s occupation took them to Nashville, Tenn. where he was introduced to golf by the Scottish golf pro at age 2 who then made him a set of clubs at five years old. A fine golfer, Tom continued to play and love the game throughout life. Family returned to Ft. Worth when Tom was eight and he lived there until he graduated from Paschal High School and matriculated to Stanford University. Along with academics, Tom’s dorm room was a frequent gathering place for other students as he shared his love for music and his extensive jazz record collection. He also held various jobs and volunteered as the Cardinals’ football manager (Rose Bowl during his Senior year). Tom did receive his lowest grade while at Stanford, a C in golf! He graduated with a AB in mechanical engineering magna cum laude, class of ’43 and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and Tau Beta Pi honorary societies. Later he became a graduate of the UCLA Executive Management program.
In WWII Tom joined the U.S. Navy as a Junior Officer. During training for his initial assignment, he worked in the early days of the jet propulsion era at Pratt & Whitney and on weekends was able to take the train to NYC to enjoy the big city Jazz Clubs. Assigned to the west coast to be a part of commissioning an escort carrier aboard the USS Shipley Bay in Astoria, Oregon, he served as a Catapult and Arresting Gear Officer in the Pacific Theater. During the Navy tradition of crossing the equator and the hazing-type rite of passage, Tom was blasted by a fire hose and an eardrum damaged. His military career changed course and with his technical training he was re-assigned to the Navy’s Bureau of Aeronautics in Washington, D.C. His first marriage, to Dorothea Crile, took place and then by train headed to his new assignment.
At the conclusion of WWII, Lieutenant Tom Carvey, Dorothea and first son moved to So. California. After two years working at Marquardt and No. American, in 1948 he began his esteemed 40 year career at Hughes Aircraft. In the early days, he worked in line management, rocket motors for Falson & Tow, a Hughes subcontractor and was deeply involved as manager in propulsion power systems and guided missiles. Moving into space technology in the 1960s, his focus was primarily space power devices and NASA’s Surveyor lunar program. This program sent 7 robotic spacecrafts to demonstrate the feasibility of soft landings on the lunar surface. The Hughes Aircraft Space and Communications Group was formed in 1970 and Tom was on board as Director of Materiel and Administration. His expertise was also valued as a manager, with Hughes as prime contractor, for NASA’s Syncom, Early Bird, Intelsat IV, and other application technology satellites, then in the 1970s-80s, with the Hughes geosynchronous orbit satellite program. Before his retirement as Vice President, a career guided by the principles he advocated. he acted as a spokesman on business ethics. He took personal risk to uplift and advocate for women and minorities during the civil rights era when doing so was an act of moral courage. Tom was one of the few people who could instantly bond with anyone, regardless of who they were or their personal background.
Tom enjoyed community activities, fishing, hiking and camping. In addition, he was Chairman of Coordinating Councils, president of Great Books where he lived, YMCA Board, L.A. Executive Council, and volunteered for local and statewide Democratic political activities. Divorced, Tom became active with the California Democratic Council and served two terms as its third president from 1961-1965. He served as California delegate to the Democratic National Conventions from 1956 to 1968, maintaining close contacts and interaction with four U.S. Presidents throughout his political career, then serving Congressman Glenn Anderson as MC for many of his functions. Tom was driven by an unshakeable belief in integrity and equality. These were not just political stances but the enduring ethical compass that guided his entire life.
Marriage in 1973 to Donna Killough in Sun Valley, Idaho, and living in Pacific Palisades, CA, Tom began a love of recreational downhill skiing, primarily focused in Sun Valley and Europe. Moving to Santa Barbara, CA in 1988 provided a new style of living and easier access to golf and tennis. Tom was a member and participant of the S.B. Channel City Club and Birnam Wood Golf Club (35 years), played team golf, and regularly scoring under his age. Tom aided Donna in her community activities, often an active participant with Montecito Association and S.B. Art Museum. Tom enjoyed the great outdoors as reflected in his love for the mountains and a variety of connected sports, all leading to maintaining a second home in the Sun Valley area since 1984. They enjoyed their time together, relaxing at home, and with friends. Whether for work, play or adventure, they traveled extensively, Hawaii and France being favorites.
Tom was a trailblazer dedicating his life to dismantling barriers for others and fighting for justice with conviction that was decades ahead of his time. He had an exceptional life.
With six children, family was a strong element in Tom’s life. He is survived by his wife, Donna, his sister Jane Taylor, and by his children: Tom B Carvey III (Susan), Crile Carvey (Laora), Geoffrey Webb Carvey (Kristin), Christopher [Buddy] Dennis Carvey (Alisa), Bradley “Scott” Tabor, Denise Carvey Hill. He has 14 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, and multiple nieces and nephews.
Please consider donating to Friendship Center Adult Day Services in Tom’s honor, 89 Eucalyptus Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 9108 as they were a wonderful part of socialization and caring during the last few years of his life.
