Roger Lee Carroll Obituary (2023)

Roger Lee Carroll Sr., age 88, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2023, at The Terraces at Summitview, in Yakima, after a courageous battle with dementia. Roger was born on June 3, 1935, in Yakima, Washington, to John Carroll and Elsie Maggard. He was raised in Selah, Washington and loved growing up in a small town. Prior to graduating high school, Roger had a brief stint in the U.S. Army. He came back to Selah to graduate with the class of 1954, and we always joked that he was a super senior and just wanted to spend more time with his high school classmates. In 1959 he met Janet Wagner, and they married on May 7, 1960, in Yakima. Two years later, their first child, Teresa Ann, was born. Less than one year later, Roger Lee was born. Roger also had a daughter Mary, and a son Marty. Roger was a bit of a roamer and soon they were off to Kennewick, where he went to work for the railroad. He later went to trade school at night and got his certification to become an electrician and went to work at the Department of Transportation. Eventually, they came back to Selah in 1977, when his mother became ill and needed more care. Roger was very devoted and visited his mom every day when she went into the nursing home (coincidentally the same nursing home he resided at his death). In addition to work, Mom and Dad enjoyed square dancing in their younger years and camping trips all over Washington State. He enjoyed working on the daily crossword puzzle, watching the Mariners on TV, and attending his grandchildrens activities. Roger was a jokester and always had a one liner at the tip of his tongue, often off color, but always the life of the party. Roger is survived by his wife of 63 years, Janet Carroll, and his children, Mary (Jerry) Tabler, Teresa (Scott) Smeback, Roger Carroll Jr., and Marty (Tammy) Burroughs, grandchildren, Taylor (Andy) Garcia, Lauren (Drew) Carney, Mitchell Carroll, Allison Carroll, Rusty Shield and Amy Shield, great-grandchildren, Lylah and Noelle Garcia, and Lainey and Carson Carney. He is also survived by his brother, Jerry Maggard, who came to see him every Saturday at home prior to going into the nursing home, as well as several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff at The Terraces at Summitview, where dad spent the last 10 months of his life. Rest easy Big Papa, you will be missed, but we know you are making them all laugh in heaven. There is no service planned at this time. Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com.