Oak Lawn Mayoral Candidate And Neighbor Tom Karones, Dies at 91

OAK LAWN, IL — Thomas Karones, who at age 91 decided to run for mayor of Oak Lawn in the 2021 election, died after complications from a medical procedure on May 31. He was a 54-year resident of the village.

Karones was born and raised on the West Side in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. He graduated from Austin High School and went on to earn his bachelor degree in electrical engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago. Karones was also a veteran of the U.S. Army.

He moved to Oak Lawn a month after the 1967 tornado. With his wife, Mary Lynn, the couple raised their three children. A man of many talents and interests, Karones’ career spanned 59 years, including positions in engineering, design, sales, marketing, training, management and assembly. He also worked for two government agencies.

Karones served many offices for his American Legion Post until he was eventually named commander. He was chosen president three times for his church’s youth organization before being elected chairman of the citywide organization. Karones was a member of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Council and was co-editor of the church newsletter. He also served as Cubmaster of St. Nicholas’s Cub Scout Troop 3700. He held a warm spot in his heart for the Oak Lawn Fire Department, whom he credited with saving his life in 2012 when he suffered a heart attack.

Dismayed that Oak Lawn Village Board members were running unopposed in the April municipal elections, Karones decided to jump in the mayoral race. With less than a week to turn in his nominating petition, Karones managed to gather 100 signatures to get his name on the ballot. When he came up short on the required number, Karones ran as a write-in candidate. Although he lost the election, he won a moral victory.

"These guys don't realize they riled up a lot of people," Karones told Patch. "I want to make sure these guys know they have opposition that we're going to be watching them."

Karones described himself as a conservative and was a member of the NRA. He enjoyed verbally sparring with others on the opposite side of the political spectrum, but did it with respect and civility.

The Karones family has suffered many losses over the past decade. Tom outlived his two boys, Steven and James. His beloved wife, Mary Lynn, preceded him in death. Despite his losses, Karones was the rock of his family and maintained cheerful positivity in his later years. He was the loving father of Melissa; father-in-law to Mary Karones, his son James’ wife; the cherished grandfather of Angela, Tina and Christina; and papa to his faithful dog Bell. Karones was also the proud great-grandfather of 10, and the fond uncle of many nieces and nephews.

“Be honest, and be fair,” Karones said in his mayoral questionnaire. “Words from my Greek-born father and echoed by my Austrian-born mother. They have always been my idols.”

Visitation for Thomas Karones will take place from 3 to 7 p.m., with a 4 p.m. memorial service Wednesday, June 9, at Thompson and Kuenster Funeral Home, 5570 W. 95th St., Oak Lawn. Interment is private.