Thomas Gale Carver, 74, of Cottage Grove passed away September 17, 2021. Tom was born December 15, 1946 in Fresno, California to parents Harold and Viola (McMullen) Carver. He graduated from Cottage Grove High School and attended 2 years at Lane Community College. Tom worked in various positions at Weyerhaeuser for 26 years. He worked for Gateway Mall before he went to work for Williams & Bleid as a commercial painter. Thomas was a member of Cottage Grove Prospectors and Golddiggers; and the Cottage Grove Hospital Auxiliary where he volunteered at the front desk at the Cottage Grove Hospital. Tom enjoyed many years of playing Santa Claus for local families. He liked bowling, fishing, hunting, and camping. He enjoyed collecting things that could be recycled and then he gave them away. Tom was always helping others wherever he saw a need. Tom was a member of the Old Time Gospel Fellowship, and formerly sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and was a Boy Scout Leader. Tom met Susan Pagniano at the First Baptist Church in Cottage Grove, and they were married July 31, 1992. He is survived by his wife of 29 years Susan Carver of Cottage Grove, OR; son Scott Pagniano of Spokane, WA; son William Pagniano of Salem, OR; daughter Jo Ellen Pagniano of Cottage Grove, OR; and daughter Jaime Pardee of Cottage Grove, OR and 4 grandchildren. Tom was preceded in death by his son Carlos Carver. A celebration of life will be held at the Old Time Gospel Fellowship in Cottage Grove, OR on Saturday, October 16th, 2021 at 10:00am. Arrangements are in the care of Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel and Crematorium.