George "Kender" Carroll

Born to Agnes Marie Harrell Carroll and Floyd Leonard Carroll, on Aug. 18, 1940, in North Little Rock, he was known to all by his middle name, Kender. He was named after his father’s boss, whom his parents highly respected.

Kender graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1958. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force, and was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

After his military tenure, he and his family returned to North Little Rock, where he held three jobs: working in abstract and title work, in sales and as a firefighter for the North Little Rock Fire Department. He was a lobbyist for the Fireman’s Association, helping to pass a law that would provide for families of firefighters that died in the line of duty.

In 1975, he saw a job opening with an abstract and title company in Bentonville. After landing the job, he and his family relocated to Northwest Arkansas. He served as one of four partners of Benton County Title & Abstract and worked as manager for 30 years. He also served as president for the state title organization. He retired from abstract work in 2005.

Kender was an avid golfer, achieving four holes-in-one and a double eagle, and playing frequently with several golf groups. In later years, he and his son vied for the coveted “Carroll Cup,” an annual competition between the two. Kender coached his children’s baseball and softball teams, served as president of the Bentonville Babe Ruth League and was a sports enthusiast of almost every sport. He especially loved the Arkansas Razorbacks.

In 2005, he married Ronda Gail Schopp and they made their home in Bella Vista. They enjoyed traveling and golfing. Kender was most proud of his family, enjoying their achievements.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Gail, of the home; his children, Laura Tway, Gina Chandler (Denny) and Don Carroll (Sally), all of Bella Vista, his stepchildren Lindy (Robert) Romero of Las Vegas, Nev., and Clayton Nichols of Sherwood, AR; his brother, Kenneth (LaVerne) Carroll of Cabot, AR; his sister, Linda Kay (Tim) Nolen of Northport, Ala.; his sister-in-law Jean (Oren) Partain of Rogers, his brother-in-law Bill Schopp (Mary) of Rogers; his grandchildren: Kasandra Stettler, Sean Norton, Tiffany Salinas, Kayton Glendening (Grant), Kender Carroll, Emmie Carroll, Josh Tway (Angie), Sara Lopez (Alex), Abby and Lilly Romero, Caleb and Madi Nichols; and great-grandchildren: Shaelyn Ritchie, Ella Ritchie, Mateo Salinas, Silas Tway and Wyatt Lopez; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 at Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers, followed by military honors and internment at the Fayetteville National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Circle of Life in Kender’s name.

Kender would not want you to dress up, your presence is what matters.