Robert William Carroll's Obituary
Robert "Bob" William Carroll, 92, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on January 28, 2023. His family fondly remembers him as a wise but reticent man and one of very few words. The words spoken, however, were heeded, indisputable, and unquestionably true. A devout Catholic and established member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in East Dallas, he never spoke poorly of others and has been said never to utter a curse word during his lifetime.
He was born on June 12, 1930, to the late Margaret and William Carroll of Springfield, Massachusetts. He was the oldest of three brothers and a state record-holding track star and hurdler throughout high school and college. At age 21, while attending American International College, Bob enlisted in the US Marine Corps. He was first stationed at Parris Island, SC, and ultimately placed on reserve at Hensley Field, the Naval Air Station in Grand Prairie, TX. It was here, however, in the summer of 1952, that Bob first met the love of his life, Mary Carroll (Swaim), a vivacious and charismatic woman from Saltillo, a small, one-stoplight town in East Texas. Mary and Roberta, as he was affectionately called by his wife of 65 years, married in 1957 and settled in an area in Old East Dallas called Junius Heights. Shortly after, Bob graduated from SMU with a degree in business, and the newlyweds bought their first home--a duplex they meticulously refurbished, renovated, and ultimately rented to their very first tenant; one of many Mary and Bob have had, as over the years they continued to unassumingly purchase and lovingly restore numerous homes throughout the now Junius Heights Historic District.
In 1959, Mary and Bob welcomed their first child, a daughter named Susan, who he believed to be the exact likeness to his beautiful and dear mother, Margaret. His only son Shawn was born three years later, and Bob was delighted to have someone to carry on the Carroll family name. Mary continued to work full-time, and Bob patiently embraced his role as Dad, room parent, and, when he found the time, home remodeler. Punctual and devoted, he never missed a swim meet, ballet recital, or football game. With binoculars in hand and often a newspaper under his arm, he faithfully watched football practices quietly from the bleachers. He was dependable, unwavering, and like a Marine, regimented. He and Mary would ritualistically patronize the same restaurants on the same day, at the same time each week. He was loved by all, and at 12 o'clock, the waitstaff would often have his iced tea poured, and a table reserved just for him!
When Mary retired and the children were grown, they finally had the chance to travel the world together. After visiting more than 100 countries, the couple decided just to stop counting!
Bob truly enjoyed the simple things in life, like reading the newspaper, watching the Dallas Cowboys, old western movies and spending the summers at the family beach house in Connecticut. Like a soldier, he fought until the end and exemplified Semper Fi, the motto known to every Marine. Oorah!
He is preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and William, and brothers, Jimmy and Charles Carroll. He is survived by his wife, Mary Carroll, daughter Susan Carroll Greenberg (David), Shawn Carroll (Mary), 9 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by the countless other people whose lives he touched.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Heart Association or The Prostate Cancer Foundation.
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