He became a Christian as a child and was baptized in 1937 by evangelist Pastor Stocker. Growing up on a farm near Mondovi, WA where he started grade school then transferred to Reardan where he graduated in 1943. He enjoyed his High School years playing basketball with his brother Gordon. Playing the trombone well, his instructor would take him to nearby schools to encourage other students.
Joining the Marine Corps in 1944 he served in the Pacific aboard the heavy cruiser Baltimore, often telling of the battle of Okanowa, seeing the flag on Mt. Sarabuchi, and searching for survivors in the ocean after the task force lost ships in a horrific typhoon.
After the war he went to college at EWU and in 1948 married Carolyn Freeborg, returning to the farm they had four sons, Randall, James, Terry, and Paul, eventually celebrating 72 years together.
1960-67 he returned to EWU, winter quarters, and earned a degree in Social Work with a minor in Psychology. He soon became the first Juvenile Probation Officer for Lincoln County and established the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Service serving from '67-'72.
Carroll served as the Lay Leader of the PNW Conference of the United Methodist Church from '72-'76, and was appointed to the Needs and Opportunities Task Force distributing funds for reconciliation for Indians and other minorities, served on the Executive Council of Ministries, the Healing Task Force, was a delegate to the merging conference of Evangelical United Brethren and Methodist churches, a delegate to two General Conferences in St Louis and Dallas, and two Jurisdictional conferences for the Western US, member of the National Hunger Task Force in '76, and a member of the Methodist Foundation. Carroll went five times to Honduras with the Nazarine Church, Work and Witness program building chapels.
He served on the Board of Directors of Rockwood Manor for 24 years and Morning Star Boys Ranch for 15 years, 4 as chairman. He was a Cub Master and Explorer Post Leader for the Boy Scouts, a committee member of the Farm Home Administration, and treasurer for the WA Crop Improvement Assn.
A highlight for Carroll was the privilege of serving on the Executive Committee for the Billy Graham Crusade in Spokane in 1982.
Carroll was a people person. He hosted children from Hutton Settlement on weekends to their farm, People to People visitors from Kenya and Libera, Whitworth Japanese students for weekends in the summer and Farm-City exchanges from Seattle.
Carroll worked hard on the farm, but always made time for fun with his sons. A hot summer day evening picnic to Silver Lake, and weekends at the cabin on Newman Lake, where hiking, swimming, water skiing, volleyball, and BBQ burgers and hotdogs over an open fire were shared with many friends. He also liked to go hunting with friends.
Carroll loved music, Strauss Waltzes, Patriotic Music, German (Oompa) music, and many hymns were special to him. This led them on several trips to Europe, especially Scandinavia, and Nothern Germany.
His last years were a part of the Touchmark Community in Spokane, where they made many new friends, and enjoyed the special level of care only they can provide.
Carroll is survived by two sons, James (Maureen) and Terry (Sue), five grandchildren, Jeff (Shawna,) Josh (Laurie,) Elizabeth, Stephanie, and Brian, step grandchildren Michael and Tonya and several great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents Erick and Helen Krupke, his bother Gordon, and sons Randy (Judy) and Paul.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at Reardan Cemetery, Reardan, WA
Strate funeral home is handling the arrangements.
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