Dr. Ray D. Carroll DVM

Ray Dean Carroll, 90, of Corsicana passed away peacefully at Heritage Oaks Retirement Village on Saturday, June 30, 2018. He was born October 19, 1927 in Barry, Texas to James William and Blanche Estelle Carroll. He attended school in Blooming Grove, Texas until 1942 and graduated high school in Italy, Texas in 1945. At 17 years old, he coerced his father to go to Dallas to sign him up for the U.S. Navy. He and a friend joined the navy and were transported to the Naval Training Center in San Diego, California. He believed that whatever the task given, you always did your best. After many trainings and assignments with the Navy, he was discharged and joined the U.S. Naval reserve for six years. Once out of the Navy, he attended Hillsboro College in Hillsboro, Texas and played football. He graduated in 1948 from Hillsboro College and then went on to attend Texas A&M University from 1948-1950 graduating with a B.S. Degree in Animal Science. After graduation, the Korean War had started and he went back to active duty in the U.S. Naval Reserves. He was sent back to the Naval Station in San Diego, California and was recruited to play football for the Submarine Pacific Force football team. In 1952, he was released to inactive duty and returned to Texas A&M University. He took additional classes and applied to the Veterinary School and was accepted. He graduated Who's Who in American College and Universities in 1957 with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. He met the love of his life, Lula and was married in June 1957. Shortly afterwards, they moved to Corsicana and he began working at Carroll and Harper Animal Clinic with his brother J.D. Carroll and Dr. John Harper. He worked there from 1957 to 2005 before retiring. In addition to his job at the clinic, he was a football official and was a part-time rancher. He taught Animal Health, Animal Science, Reproduction of Farm Animals, and Horse Husbandry at Navarro College. Dr. Ray also served on the Board of Trustees at Navarro College. He loved Corsicana and was a philanthropist to many organizations that involved serving the youth. Over the years, he was very active in the community. He loved people and enjoyed helping kids with their animal projects. He was very involved in the Navarro County Youth Expo serving on various committees involving the Expo. Dr. Ray initiated the Youth Expo steak dinner and served many years as Chairman. He was one of the originators and chairman of the Navarro County A&M club fajita cook-off scholarship committee and was three time president of the Navarro County A&M club. Dr. Ray served on numerous other committees all over Texas. He served on the Texas Polled Hereford Association Board of Directors and was chairman for one year. Dr. Ray was also author of the Navarro County Beef Management Calendar that eventually was used in nearly all North Central Texas Counties. Dr. Ray presented many papers across Texas pertaining to disease-specific conditions in animals. He represented the profession of Veterinary Medicine at the local Chamber of Commerce Career Day for fifteen years. Other representation was instituting and holding cattle working workshops for farmers and ranchers for twelve years. Dr. Ray had a strong interest in politics and assisted with political campaigns for many. He advocated for farmers and ranchers and pushed to improve Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Labs and to increase the number of Texas Animal Commission area offices and labs. Dr. Ray received many awards and recognition over the years both local and state wide. In 1998, he was the Honorary Veterinarian for the National Junior Polled Hereford Show in Ft. Worth, Texas. In 2005, he was awarded the Outstanding Alumnus Award in the School of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University. His local awards included the Texas Agriculture Extension Service Exemplary Leadership Award, Navarro County Extension Hall of Fame Award, and Navarro County Senior Citizen Volunteer Award just to name a few. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, James Williams and Blanche Estelle; brothers, William Erwin and James Doyle; and his wife of 61 years Lula Pearl. He is survived by his two sons, Jim and wife Emily and Ray and wife Gayla; grandsons, Christopher Carroll, Ray Carroll III, Matthew Carroll, Cullen Carroll and Clay Carroll. He is also survived by numerous great grandchildren and his siblings, Frances Holdeman and Rufus (Rudy) Carroll. Dr. Ray enjoyed time spent with his two local great grandchildren, Payton and Weston Carroll. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Corsicana. After becoming mostly homebound, he looked forward to watching the Northside Baptist Church service on TV. Dr. Ray was a talkative, charismatic, and industrious man who served his community well. He had a larger-than-life personality and will be remembered by many for his jokes and storytelling. He was an encourager, mentor and friend. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Navarro County Youth Expo 321 North 12th St. Corsicana, Texas 75110. Memorial Service will be Friday, July 6, 2018 at 2:00pm at Norhtside Baptist Church with Randall Whitt officiating. Visitation will be prior to service from 1:00 - 2:00 pm at Northside Baptist Church.

Dr. Ray D. Carroll DVM

October 19, 1927 - June 30, 2018