Col. Ret. George Franklin Carroll

Carroll, Ret., COL George F., age 92 passed away Nov 19, 2014 holding hands with his wife at UT Medical Center after a brief illness. He was born on Nov 27, 1921 and grew up on a farm in Rockholds, KY with his parents Ida Rose and Benjamin Carroll and his sister Eva Mae. As a talented story teller he loved to share stories of his childhood and folks loved to listen to them. His family wanted him to become the local Doctor however there were not enough students to make up a class in the Medical School. After graduating from Cumberland College he joined the army where he made his career. COL Carroll was a World War II veteran serving from 1942 – 1945. He rejoined the army in 1950 after graduating from the University of Tennessee with a B.S. in Chemistry in 1949. He did his post graduate work at UT and Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies. In 1962, he graduated from the Command and General Staff College. While in the service he received the following medals and awards: European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; American Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Legion of Merit; Army of Occupation Medal (Germany); National Defense Service Medal (1st OLC); Army Commendation Medal; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. George met Dorothy Mae Lunsford “Dot” through mutual friends. Their first meeting led to their first date. After that there were no others as they dated until George asked Dot’s mother for her hand in marriage. They were married on Aug 30, 1947 at Island Home Baptist Church surrounded by family and friends. As they moved around the world, according to George’s military assignments, their first priority was finding a church home. They also made sure their children learned about the cultures in which they lived. He loved animals, which was mutual, as the neighborhood dogs were often at his home. At times they fought over who would get to follow him around as he worked in the yard. Even the neighbor’s cat “Rusty” was often found in George’s lap. He was a member of the Valley Grove Baptist Church where he had taught a SS class with his friend Charles McCool. George had been an active member of the Seymour camp of the Gideon’s and was passionate about sharing the word of God through the Bible ministry. He leaves behind his wife Dorothy after 67 years of marriage; his children Ron Carroll of Jefferson City MO, Libby Gatlin of Walnutport, PA, his daughter-in-law Gail; son-in-law Carl Picco; his grandchildren Chris Carroll, Michael Gatlin, Aaron Carroll, Dana Carroll and Clayton Carroll, his great grandsons, Jonathan Carroll, Ovid Gatlin and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, and his sister-in-laws husband Nathan “Andy” Anderson who was like a brother to him. Services will be held on Monday, November 24th at Valley Grove Baptist Church, 9000 Sevierville Pike, Knoxville, TN. Receiving of friends 4:00 – 6:00 pm with the service immediately following. The interment will be Tuesday, November 25th at 11:00 am at Berry Highland South Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Gideon’s International, Valley Grove Baptist Church, or KARM (Knoxville Area Rescue Mission). Arrangements by Berry Highland South Funeral Home, 9010 E. Simpson Road, Knoxville, TN 37920.