Thomas William Tolbert

Thomas W. “Tommy” Tolbert of Jacksonville, Florida, passed peacefully on Sunday, November 12, 2023.  Funeral services will be at Green Hills Funeral Home in Troy, Alabama, on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 11:30 am with Rev. Perry Green officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior. Burial will follow in Green Hills Cemetery with Gary Tolbert, Rob Tolbert, Ross Dudley, Billy Powell. Will Powell, and Preston Powell serving as pallbearers.
Mr. Tolbert is survived by his loving wife, Karol A. Tolbert; son, Kyle A. Tolbert (Haley); brothers, Patrick W. “Pat” Tolbert (Carole)and Gary M. Tolbert (Wendy). He was preceded in death by his father, Robert H. “Pappy” Tolbert; mother, Luna Margaret Tolbert, and brother, Robert A. “Rip” Tolbert.
During his youth, Tommy was always following the lead of his older brothers.  He and his older brothers were actively involved with scouting where they achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. All three would become members of Troy’s Little League Allstar baseball team and all three would go on to become discus champions in track and field at Charles Henderson H.S. Tommy was a 1966 graduate of Charles Henderson High School and a member of the First Methodist Church.  After a brief stint at Troy State University, he enlisted in the US Navy where he spent four years active duty in Newfoundland, Puerto Rico and Norfolk, VA.    After his tour of duty with the Navy, he came back to Troy and finished his degree in Accounting at Troy University and later received his MSA degree at Central Michigan University.  Tommy really liked Troy and would always brag to his acquaintances about his hometown, friends, and Troy University.  No matter where he lived, he said he would never trade his upbringing because he was always home in Troy. 
Upon graduating from Troy, he worked in accounting but later changed careers to commercial insurance.  He spent the first ten years working with several national companies to gain experience in brokerage and underwriting, and later decided to start his own brokerage/underwriting operation in 1986 in Jacksonville, Florida.  After several years, the business grew to a nationwide operation specializing in the transportation sector.  Tommy enjoyed traveling the country working with agents where he formed many lasting friendships. He spent many vacations traveling around the country and overseas with his family where they visited many wonderful places together.
Golf was his passion. Tommy became a pretty good amateur golfer in the Jacksonville area where his friends encouraged him to try the mini tours to see how he compared against the pros.  At first it was a struggle playing part-time, but he would later win against senior professionals.  He also enjoyed boating with his younger brother Gary, and together the two boated and fished for many years in the Panama City area. 
In lieu of flowers, Tom requested memorial donations to be sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, his favorite charity.    The staff of Green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the Tolbert family.