Earl Thomas "Tom" Balkum, II

Mr. Earl Thomas “Tom” Balkum, II, age 72, of Ararat, NC passed away Saturday evening May 13, 2023, at Northern Regional Hospital.  He was born June 21, 1950, in Champaign, IL to the late Earl Thomas Balkum and Marion Hall Balkum.  He and his wife Carol owned several textile companies throughout the years.  Mr. Balkum is survived by his wife of 45 years, Carol Scott Balkum; son, Nicholas Balkum; sister, Janet Mitchell; and several nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents, Earl was preceded in death by a daughter, Catherine Taylor Balkum; son, James Thomas Balkum; and a sister, Jodie Balkum.  The family would like to thank their nephew Park Gamble and all of their trivia friends at the White Elephant for all of the love shown to Carol and Tom.  There are no services planned at this time for Tom.  Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family.