Thomas LaPuppet Carroll passed away on March 23rd, 1999. Thomas LaPuppet was born in South Carolina in 1938 He was raised in Brooklyn, NY graduating from Franklin K. Lane High School. He then went on to attend the State University of New York in Westbury, NY but did not graduate from there due to his belief that "The University of the street" provided a more dynamic education. Thomas Carrol worked as a firefighter for the FDNY and was also in the United States Marine Corps achieving the rank of First Sergeant.

LaPuppet was a former jiujitsu practitioner before learning Karate under George Cofield. Carroll was the National Treasurer and National Coach for the USA Karate Federation when it was the National Governing Body for Karate and he is a member of the USA Karate Hall of Fame, He also chaired USA Karate New York as Treasurer, and coach. He was key in getting karate recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Considered by some to be an American martial arts pioneer he defeated many famous martial artists including Bill "Superfoot" Wallace in tournaments.[3] He also trained actors Gregory Hines and Ralph Macchio of Karate Kid.[3] He is considered to be a contemporary of the Chuck Norris and Joe Lewis[7] An 8th degree blackbelt [3] he was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame in 1969. Thomas was also featured in various magazines including Black Belt Magazine and Official Karate Magazine. He acted in the 1976 [9] movie The Super Weapon,[10] which also starred Ron van Clief.[11] He was also in the movie Angel With a Kick.

He is also featured training youth in the 1976 documentary The Warrior Within.

Master LaPuppetwas a member of the USJJF and USAKF Board of Directors and a Regional Representative for the New York Metro area. Shihan LaPuppetwas one of the true pioneers in the American Martial Arts community, and was loved and admired by many. He will be very much missed.