In Loving Memory of Major Thomas Carson Byall, USMC, retired.
August 20, 1938 – June 4, 2025
Thomas “Tom” Carson Byall, age 86, passed away peacefully on June 4, 2025. A devoted husband, father, and proud veteran, Tom had been a resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado, for 47 years. His life’s journey began in Columbus, Ohio, where he was born on August 20, 1938, to McIlhenney Carson “Mac” Byall and Ruth Elizabeth (Schaefer) Byall.
After graduating from Upper Arlington High School in Upper Arlington, Ohio, in 1956, Tom began his college studies at Miami University of Ohio. After a year and a half, he felt a strong calling to serve his country and, in 1958, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a Private. This marked the beginning of a distinguished military career spanning more than two decades, two tours of Vietnam, and taking him to assignments around the world.
Tom steadily rose through the ranks and, in 1963, earned his commission as a Second Lieutenant. He then pursued flight training, a path that led him to pilot the UH-34D helicopter and, later, the A-4 Skyhawk jet. His distinguished military service took him to duty stations across the globe, including California, Cyprus, Florida, Arizona, Japan, Vietnam, Texas, Virginia, and North Carolina. Tom served his country with unwavering courage, quiet humility, and steadfast honor for 21 years, 8 months, and 24 days.
On February 1, 1964, Tom married the love of his life, Lana Lou (Leppert), in Columbus, Ohio. Together, they built a life rooted in love, resilience, and deep devotion, recently celebrating 61 years of marriage.
After retiring from the Marine Corps, Tom continued to lead, serve, and inspire throughout his civilian life. Dedicated to lifelong learning, he earned his bachelor’s degree in business from Colorado Technical College. He then managed operations at the historic Flying W Ranch, shared his passion for aviation by training new pilots at Meadow Lake Airport, and later brought his skills and work ethic to a successful role at Synthes, Inc.
Tom lived with a spirit of curiosity and enthusiasm. He had a deep passion for flying, rock hounding, gold dredging, fly fishing, camping, reading, and expressing himself through creative arts, particularly drawing and painting. He also loved a good card game and found his greatest joy in the time he shared with his family.
A man of faith and service, Tom was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs, later joining Monument Community Presbyterian Church. He also remained involved with the Marine Corps League, exemplifying a lifelong commitment to camaraderie and service.
Tom leaves behind a legacy of strength, love, and purpose. He is survived by his beloved wife, Lana; his children: Colleen (Gary) Foster, Brett (Kandy) Byall, and Christy (Scott) Kriskowski; his grandchildren: Dylan (Katy) Malfatti, Lauren (Justin) Hernandez, Ashlyn (Jared) Academia, Donovan Kriskowski, Evan Byall, and Declan Kriskowski; and his great-grandchildren, McKenna Malfatti and Colter Malfatti; as well as brothers-in-law, John Horst and Gary Lee Leppert (Nancy); his sister-in-law, Nancy Leppert; and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins who all hold him dear.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mac and Ruth Byall; his sister, Barbara Ann (Byall) Horst; his beloved granddaughter, Cailin Renee Foster; and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Karen Sue (Leppert) Bohn and Roger Bohn.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 1, 2025, at the Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 East Fountain Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80910. Burial will follow later in Dublin, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation (www.garysinisefoundation.org), a cause Tom deeply supported.