Carl Thomas Berg, aged 40, passed away in his home on July 18, 2023. He was the seventh generation of first born sons in the Berg family with Carl as the first name. Generations alternated, every other one was called by his middle name, as in Carl Thomas Berg was called Tom, where his father is called Carl. The name "Tom" came from his maternal grandfather. Tom grew up in Woodstock and graduated from Woodstock HS in 2001. He attended both Kennesaw State University and Perimeter College, learning the basic skills he would develop and greatly expand upon over several years that led to positions in IT with major companies, and one private school where he directed the technology department along with coaching the wrestling team, skills he learned in high school. He proudly purchased his own home in Woodstock in 2018. His list of interests and passions were many and diverse: like 'go fast' things, by the means of his long-time owned and beloved 2006 Corvette, and his more recently acquired motorcycle. In addition, in no particular order, he loved his family and his numerous friends, his dogs, books, music on vinyl, Monty Python and Bill Murray. He daily missed his sister since her loss in 2016; a tattoo on his shoulder represented her memory. He also had ones representing close friends who, just like him, were gone too soon. Tom participated in the Peachtree Road Race 25 times with his dad, Carl, beginning at age 12. His smile was an irresistible charm and his grin suggested mischief, as noted by the Cheshire cat tattoo on his leg.

Tom has now joined his sister in helping to watch over the wonderful creatures that exist around us all every day. When they were little Jill and Carl referred to Tom as "squirrel" and Kate Austin Berg as "chipmunk". Those secrets eventually became safe words for them, and are now a reminder to their parents, every time they see these creatures, that their children live on in our hearts. Tom leaves behind him many unfulfilled dreams. The deep hole he leaves in the hearts of those who loved him will never be filled.

He is survived by his mother, Jill, his father, Carl, brother-in-law Casey, aunts and uncles Anne and Tony Cochran of Atlanta, Kitty and Wallace Parr of Springfield, Georgia, Pat Yates of Fort Pierce, Florida, and Mike and Beth Russell of Fort Pierce, Florida, and cousins Jennie Chin, Allison, Robert, Elizabeth and Harry Cochran, Jon and Miranda Shepherd, Evan Russell, Daniel and Andrew Yates, Lacey Tyson, and Trapper Barnard.

The family will be receiving visitors at Lakeside Funeral Home in Woodstock on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at two o'clock. In lieu of flowers, we believe Tom would appreciate donations to either the Arthritis Foundation (info.arthritis.org) or Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida (mote.org).

It was all too brief. We had longer with Tom than we had with his sister, Kate Austin, but no amount of time is enough with one's children. We have so many memories of birth, play dates, Mom taking pictures, schools, friends, birthdays, cousins, maturing, (too slowly at times, too fast at others), triumphs, suck-it-up-and-try-agains, happy times, not so happy times, small challenges, along with major ones, Mom taking pictures, more friends, his way of enticing the children around him into rebellion, and so many other individual memories too numerous to count. And Mom taking pictures. Pictures that have become such treasures in our lives, pictures that make the heart swell with joy or laugh with abandon, pictures that will keep us all together as a loving family for the rest of Mom and Dad's days.

We are so grateful for the love and comfort being sent our way by all of Tom's aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Just like his sister, to have known Tom was to love him. Or at least most of the time. No one remained unaffected by his smile. His kindness and concern for any and all in need of his help was unfailing. Always remember the smile that lit up his eyes and his gift of laughter and rascality. Think of Tom when you watch a sunset, see a hummingbird, hear a fast set of wheels in the distance, get caught by a terrible pun, catch the seabirds flying into the end of the day..........and know that he is right there enjoying the same sight with you. And laugh. Please.

Tom is with his sister now, a knowledge that comforts. And their beautiful spirits live on in our hearts.

His family's love is eternal.

Mom, Dad, and Casey