G. R. "Bob" Carroll

Gordon Robert "Bob" Carroll passed away on July 30, 2015. Born on May 16, 1926 in Utica, New York, Bob was the son of James and Virginia (Hogan) Carroll. Both of Bob's parents were raised in upstate New York, so Bob and his older brother, Don, were able to enjoy time with grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles while in Utica. Bob often talked of his trips to his grandparents' farm on the edge of the Adirondacks in New Bremen, New York, and of weekends and summers spent camping near the region's many lakes. When Bob was 14, he moved with his family to Denver, Colorado, where he attended East High School. After graduating, Bob enlisted in the United States Navy. He was stationed in the South Pacific, where he served for two years during World War II. When he returned home from the war, Bob married his high school sweetheart, Madeleine Hibbert, on June 23, 1946. Bob attended Denver University, where he graduated with a degree in journalism. After college, Bob worked as a journalist for the Denver Post before opening his own business, a commercial trucking company. Bob started his career as a Petroleum Landman in Denver working for Pure Oil Company. All four of Bob and Madeleine's children were born in Denver. In 1962, Bob and Madeleine left Denver for Fort Smith, Arkansas, where the family lived for three years before moving to Oklahoma City in 1965. During his fifty years in Oklahoma City, Bob worked for Wilshire Oil Company of Texas, before opening his oil and gas brokerage company, G.R. Carroll Oil and Gas Properties. He was a longtime friend of Bill W, and whether at work, at home, or in a social setting, people who knew Bob will tell you that he never met a stranger and had a kind word and a smile for everyone he met. Bob remained very close to his mother, Virginia, throughout her life and called her every Sunday until her death in 1996. Bob's family will remember him as a father and grandfather who took a sincere interest in those who looked up to him, and as someone on whom they could always rely for support and encouragement when times got tough. He will be greatly missed. Bob died peacefully at home, surrounded by family and friends. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; and brother Don. He is survived by his wife, Madeleine; his four children, Bob Carroll Jr. and his wife, Linda, Chris Wager, and her husband, Rich, Dick Carroll, and his wife, Mari, and Scott Carroll, and his wife, Lynn; and his grandchildren Cari Carroll Greene and husband Matt, Christi Carroll Ridley and husband Jay, Tanner Carroll, Jessica McKee, Brooke Carroll Allen and husband Zack, Hollye Carroll, Jacqulynn Carroll; brother Mike Carroll and wife Kathy, Oakland CA. and eight great grandchildren. Memorial services will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday August 6, at Smith-Kernke N. May Chapel.