Don Carroll, 86, of Huntsville, passed away at his home on Saturday, February 27th. He was the only son born to James Lauin and Tommie Roberta Carroll of Huntsville, Alabama. Don was married to Marie Smith Carroll and is survived by their son, Don ‘Duke’ H. Carroll, Jr. (Sandra); grandson, James David Carroll (Lauren); granddaughter, Valerie Carroll Currie (Micah); sister, Jane Carroll Stump (Charles); niece, Lauri Stump Keeney of South Carolina; nephew, Bo Stump (Mary); and many cousins in the Neely, Jacks, Gates, Thigpen, Smith, Clark, Kidd, Atkinson, and Eslick families.
A lifelong resident of Huntsville, Don and Marie graduated from Huntsville High School, Class of 1953. After high school, Don briefly worked for the FBI in Washington, DC. Don retired from Chrysler Huntsville Division after more than 33 years of service. While at Chrysler, he contributed in the R&D, set-up, (tested at the ‘old HSV Airport’/John Hunt Park) and monitoring of the race car driven by Buddy Baker, setting the 200mph, closed-course Stock Car speed record. He proudly served in the Alabama National Guard with the 1169th Engineering Group, HSV, AL. He was a past member of BPOE Lodge 1648. Don especially enjoyed his times spent at Gibson’s BBQ with his Guard, and high school friends. He also has a special group of friends at ‘his’ SteakOut. Don was a member of First United Methodist Church.
Don’s family is honoring his wishes that no funeral or memorial service be held, with the only exception that his, and Marie’s ashes be spread by his family in Maui, Hawaii, where he and Marie traveled many times. ‘Here today, Gone to Maui!’ Aloha!
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.
