Joseph T. Carroll, Vice President of JetBrokers, Dies at 70
ST LOUIS, Missouri (June 5, 2025) –
Joseph Thaddeus Carroll, Vice President and 21 year employee of JetBrokers, dies at 70.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:
Modetz Funeral Home Silverbell Chapel - 100 East Silverbell Road, Orion, MI 48360
Visitation: Monday, June 9 from 3 PM to 7 PM
Rosary: Monday, June 9 at 7 PM
St. Daniel Catholic Church - 7010 Valley Park Drive, Clarkston MI 48346
Visitation: Tuesday, June 10 from 9:30 AM to 10 AM
Funeral Mass: Tuesday, June 10 from 10 AM
JOSEPH THADDEUS CARROLL OBITUARY
Joseph T. Carroll, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully on June 4, 2025, surrounded by his devoted family. Born on June 18, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan, Joe was the first of 13 children born to Thaddeus and Mary Carroll. He grew up in a bustling, loving household that shaped his lifelong devotion to family.
A proud graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Detroit, Class of 1972, Joe followed his dreams to the skies, attending flight school in Vero Beach, Florida, where he earned his pilot’s license. His career in aviation soared as he transitioned from pilot to aircraft sales, where he found tremendous success selling turboprop and jet aircraft—most recently with JetBrokers, Inc. One of the high points of his sales career was selling a plane to legendary musician Bob Seger, a special moment for Joe, whose love for music was ever-present in his life.
Joe was deeply caring, generous, and endlessly engaging—a true people person who never met a stranger. Whether he was swapping stories with friends in Put-in-Bay or Fort Lauderdale, or simply chatting with nurses during his care, his warmth and charisma left a lasting mark. His zest for life and curiosity for the world were contagious. He found joy in travel, including the cherished memory of taking his parents to Hawaii, and often introduced family members to new horizons.
Yet, Joe’s greatest joy came from his family. He was the proud and loving husband of Gloria Carroll, and the devoted father of Joe Jr. (Jodi), Michelle, Keith, and Andrea (Trad). His face lit up most when he was with his grandchildren—who were the pride of his heart—and he surrounded himself with them whenever he could. He leaves behind 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren who will carry his legacy of love and laughter.
Joe is also survived by 11 siblings and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thaddeus and Mary, and his sister Therese.
Joe Carroll lived with passion and purpose. The sky was his playground, and his family was his anchor. His wish to go see Jesus has been fulfilled, and while we mourn his loss, we celebrate a life well lived and deeply loved. His stories, his laughter, and his boundless love will forever echo in the hearts of all who knew him.
A celebration mass will be held on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 - 10 am at St Daniel Catholic Church, 7010 Valley Park Dr, Clarkston, Michigan, in-state prior at 9:30 am. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 9, 2025 from 3:00-8:00 pm at Modetz Funeral Home, 100 E. Silverbell Rd, Orion, MI with a 7pm rosary.
JetBrokers Founder Tom Crowell Sr. Dies at 84
Business aviation entrepreneur, Thomas J. Crowell Sr., passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on January 1, 2021. Born in New Jersey, Tom grew up in Woodside NYC. His lifelong interest in aviation began with the PanAm Clipper flying boats at nearby LaGuardia Airport Marine Terminal. This early fascination with aviation continued throughout his life.
After graduating from Power Memorial Academy, Tom began his career at General Motors Overseas Operations in NYC. Taking a leave of absence from GM, he enlisted in the Army—serving in the US Zone in Occupied Austria working as an aircraft mechanic on the Russian Front in Linz on the Danube. Following his military service, Tom returned to GM.
He married the love of his life, his Carol, in 1959. Tom graduated from City University of New York, Bernard M. Baruch School of Business, with a degree in International Trade & Marketing. After 15 years at GM, Tom followed his love of aviation to AirResearch at MacArthur Airport in Long Island, NY. His adventurous career rose to executive level marketing and sales positions at Rockwell International, Falcon Jet (Dassault), Aviall, Sabreliner Corporation, MidCoast Aviation and culminated with the founding of JetBrokers in 1993. Tom’s legacy continues at JetBrokers, an international jet brokerage firm with offices in the U.S. and Europe, which has successfully sold more than 480 aircraft in 27 years.
Gregarious, personable and hard-working, Tom was a people-person with extensive knowledge of all aspects of the business jet industry. He generously shared this knowledge with the next generation: by encouraging people to start their own companies, by mentoring their careers and by being a good friend (including his son, Tom and his sales team as well as his daughter, Debbie.)
Tom is a former director and vice president of the Westchester Aviation Maintenance Association (WAMA) and president of the Greater St. Louis Business Aviation Maintenance Association (GSLBAA) in Spirit of St Louis Airport, Chesterfield, MO.
He travelled the world for business and had many adventures with his wife, Carol, seeing the world by cruising the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, from New Zealand to Alaska, from the Baltic and Maritime Provinces to South America and more.
Tom’s life-long motto, “Good, better, best—never let it rest—until good is better and better is best,” was well practiced.