Robert George Carroll

If you're about to take out the trash, stop. Consider the lessons of Robert George Carroll who entered eternal life on Monday, November 16, 2020. His spirit is carried on by his wife of 53 years, Elaine Carroll, daughter, Jeanna Carroll James, five grandchildren, and an extended family of relations and friends from every walk of life from Texas to New York, Sweden, and even the moon and back. All who knew Bob were blessed by his stories (at least 50% true), magic tricks, knowledge of unusual things, and love for people. Bob never met a stranger and if you needed help he’d give you the shirt off his own back. We learned many valuable lessons from Bob during his 78 years, among them: Never throw away a twist off bottle cap, you can put them on chair feet so they slide easy. Cheese with mold is perfectly fine, you just cut that part off before you eat it. Use by date does not mean expired, it is probably still good and therefore should not be in the trash. Dogs are family who never talk back and love you even when you don’t love yourself. When you find a woman you love marry her, there’s no need to wait. Serve in the military and be proud to be an American. Elaine Carroll is the best cook on the planet and she’ll make her famous caramel bread for Bob’s coffee group, Masonic lodge, church group, Magic Club, and more, just ask him. Elaine’s homemade bourbon balls, however, are his and the one food that is not for sharing, especially with kids. That’s his good bourbon! If you see someone standing alone at a party, in church, or anywhere, go over and say “Hi, I’m Bob.” Eat lunch with friends. Repeat. Join a masonic lodge and learn how to be a better man. Go to a nursing home and talk to everyone, even if they can’t hear you or never talk back. Learn to fly airplanes. When you can’t fly anymore because you are too big and eyes aren’t so great, learn how to be a hospital administrator instead. Invite new friends to Thanksgiving dinner. If they are from another country and you have trouble understanding them, smile and point. Learn close up magic tricks with cards and join a magic club. Visit patients in the hospital and share magic and fantastic stories. Teach your daughter how to swear (she’s going to learn anyway), punch, and shoot. If you are in the Air Force, teach your daughter how to fly airplanes. Honor your fellow soldiers and first responders. Talk to wait staff and learn their names and stories. Volunteer at the local elementary school to help kids read. Tell about your dyslexia and how you were held back a grade. Help anyone struggling to get their kids into a car or anyone who just looks lost. When your daughter brings home friends who need a dad, be their dad, too. Walk down the aisle for your “adopted” daughter proudly and with love. Take food to your homeless friends under the bridge. Join a masonic lodge on the moon because it will be awesome. Make olive butter. When you retire, be a volunteer police officer and you can win awards for your service then, too. Get a four legged partner and welcome her to your family after years of police service. Practice mental math until you can do magic tricks and solve complicated problems faster than a calculator. Travel with friends, especially to magic conventions, fishing trips in Alaska, Sweden, Germany, the Nordics, and Russia. Listen to Swedish lullabies. Join a coffee group and gab every week with friends. Find a good minister, priest, and Rabbi and talk about religion with them regularly over coffee or lunch. Tell your son-in-law you love him. Learn something new every day. Play corn hole, dominos, and chess with your grandkids every chance you get. Don’t let them win, they’ve got to learn how to win themselves. Teach your grandkids how to swear when beaten at corn hole, dominoes, or chess. Go to the movies. Love everyone you meet and then go eat together. Tell your daughter you’re proud of her. Tell your wife you love her. Be a better man.

Bob was born on October 13, 1942 in Binghamton New York to Howard and Jean Carroll. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from University of Kentucky and Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Hardin-Simmons University.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine, his daughter Jeanna James (husband Daniel); his grandchildren: Emma James, Alexander James, Josh James, Rachael Nguyen (Ban), Bryan Finley-James; aunt: Mary Lois Carroll; nieces and nephews; Shane Gregg (Torie), Lizzy, Layne and Alexis; cousins: Lois Ann Spreen (Pete), Stuart Carroll (Liz), Stuart Carroll, Jr, Ann Carroll, Gail Gnatek, Barbara Koch, Greg Gilbertsen and Thomas Gilbertsen.

Bob is reunited with his parents and friends who passed before him.

Friends can celebrate Bob’s life at the Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home 2620 South Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas on Saturday, November 21 at 11:00 am followed by a Graveside Service at Onion Creek Cemetery.

In Bob’s memory donations may be made to 100 Club of Central Texas, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Currently, due to the substantial public risk, city and state government mandates that social gatherings of limited amounts may occur with strict social distancing protocol. Current COVID protocols for Travis County, guests must wear protective masks at all times while inside the funeral home facility and practice the recommended six foot social distancing. Weed-Corley-Fish South will limit our capacity to 70 guests at a service while enforcing all distancing and hygiene standards. We appreciate your understanding.