James Carroll

James Cleotha Carroll was born in Corsicana, Texas on September 2, 1945 to the late John Carroll and Annie Zora Carroll. He accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Second Mission Baptist Church in Corsicana, Texas. He attended G.W. Jackson High School, and immediately following graduation, enlisted into the United States Navy on August 23, 1963. He excelled in rank and retired in 1985 as a Senior Chief Petty Officer E-8.

He met and married Shirley Sherman on January 1, 1972.  To this union two daughters were born: Nicole and Natasha. 

James loved life and loved to travel, especially during his naval tours.  Over his 22 years with the Navy he sailed aboard many ships and was based at many duty stations which included: USS Vega (AF-59) Homeport: Alameda, CA, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL, Danang/Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam, USS Camden (AOE-2) Homeport: Long Beach, CA, USS Mount Hood (AE-29) Homeport: Concord, CA, Naval Security Group Activity, Fort Meade, MD, Naval Communications Station, Ponce, Puerta Rico, USS Forrestal (CV-59) Homeport: Mayport, FL, USS Luce (DDG-38) Homeport: Mayport, FL, Navy Recruiting District, Portland, OR and finally USS Fox (CG-33) Homeport: San Diego, CA.  As Senior Chief Petty Officer, James successfully completed and devoted many long hours of training in areas of expertise, particularly as a Shipboard Instructor, Navy Fleet Training Instructor, Navy Career Counselor and Administrator, and was directly responsible for graduating over 400 navy career personnel.  His superiors described him as “thoroughly dedicated, experienced, competent, motivated and professional.”

James also earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Texas at Arlington.  Also, while on active duty, he attended the Catholic University of Puerto Rico and received commendation in areas of language and mathematics.

After retiring from the U. S. Navy in 1985, the family moved to Arlington, Texas.  James later completed twenty-two years of service in the U. S. Government as a senior auditor for the DCAA (Defense Contract Audit Agency).  James was very active in the community and serviced as President of the Neighborhood Association and the Community Watch Coordinator.  He also enjoyed substitute teaching as a Math Teacher in the Arlington Independent School District.

James was a faithful member of the Central Pointe Church of Christ where Dr. Rodney Dulin is the Pastor.  In his spare time, he took pride in keeping his yard beautifully manicured, and talking with neighbors about many family trips and vacations – and his granddaughters were “the apple of his eye.”

Three siblings preceded him in death:  Lucy Wilkerson, Mary Powers, and Minnie McPherson.

James leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 47 years, Shirley Ann Carroll; two daughters, Nicole Lynnete Carroll, Natasha LaShaun Carroll (Jason Sprague, fiancé); two granddaughters, Sasha Ellise and Nadya Katelynn; three sisters, Dorothy Newton, Frances Langston and Gracie Cook; and one brother, Billy Carroll; nieces, nephews; a special family friend, Walter Strong; and a host of other relatives and friends.   

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