James Ernest Carroll of Mobile, beloved husband, father, and friend, passed away on Sunday June 9th , at the age of 80, following a brief illness. James, known to most as “Jimmy” or “JC”, was born in Clay County Alabama to E. C. and Lucyle Carroll on January 27, 1944. Jimmy grew-up in Enterprise, Alabama, a town which always remained close to his heart. A gifted athlete and student, he played football for the Enterprise High School Wildcats, graduating in 1962. Jimmy attended the University of Alabama on a football scholarship, playing center for the Crimson Tide’s 1964 and 1965 National Championship teams and 1966 undefeated team.
He earned his bachelor’s in 1967 and began a career in education and athletics with a job as an offensive line coach at Livingston University. He returned to the Capstone in 1968, joining Coach Bryant’s staff. For the next four years, he coached offensive centers and guard. He earned his master’s degree in 1972, and for the next 11 years, he worked in school administration with positions as assistant principal of Woodlawn High School (1972-78), principal of Birmingham Huffman High School (1978-80), and principal of Briarwood Christian High School (1980-83). In 1984, Jimmy followed his longtime friend and onetime roommate, Coach Ray Perkins, back to the University of Alabama athletics to be an associate athletic director. In 1988 he began a career in sports medicine, working first at Alabama Sports Medicine and later at HealthSouth.
In 1998, Jimmy married the love of his life, Kym Hunter, and joined her and her daughters in Mobile, Al, where he would spend his remaining 26 years. During his time in Mobile, he was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and later Government Street Presbyterian Church, serving at various times as a session member, deacon, and children’s Sunday School teacher. He was a longtime participant in a Government Street men’s bible study group, where he made some of his dearest friends.
Jimmy never met a stranger. He loved to talk with people and hear their stories. He made friends everywhere he went. It was not unusual to walk into a store or restaurant in Mobile, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa or elsewhere in Alabama and run into someone he coached, taught, or whose life he’d passed through years ago. He remembered them and they remembered him.
Jimmy was a lifelong golfer. In his younger days, he loved competing in tournaments. He had been looking forward to his yearly guy’s trip, golfing in Destin with longtime friends, which began on the day he passed. He loved to read, often finishing a novel in a single day. He was an avid college sports fan and while football was his favorite, he enjoyed cheering on his beloved Crimson Tide in most any sport.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, E.C. and Lucyle, brother Donald, and sister Barbara Young. He is survived by his brother Robert and by his beloved “girls” – wife Kym, and stepdaughters, Kristin and Aimee Brown. He also leaves behind innumerable family members, friends, teammates, golf buddies, coaches, students, and athletes whose lives he touched, and for whom his loss will be deeply felt.
We will gather to remember Jimmy on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Government Street Presbyterian Church in Mobile. Visitation will be held from 12 to 2 pm, followed by a memorial service. In keeping with Jimmy’s wishes, his body was cremated, and his ashes will be scattered at the beach. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Government Street Presbyterian Church.
