Ronald Denny Carroll

Ronald Denny Carroll passed away October 11, 2008 in La Grande, Oregon.

Ron was born June 23, 1932 in Huntington, Oregon to Lee Francis and Viola Helena (Borkland) Carroll.

Ron moved to La Grande as a child. He attended La Grande elementary and high schools where he excelled in sports, including varsity football and basketball. He attended Eastern Oregon College (Eastern Oregon University) where he earned his Bachelors Degree in education and general studies. He later earned his Master's Degree from Portland State University.

Ron joined the Navy in 1951 and served during the Korean War on the USS Essex until 1955. Medals he earned include: the Korean Service Medal (two stars); the China Service Medal (extended); and the National Defense Service Medal. Ron maintained many life-long friendships from his Navy years.

Ron married Verna Welo on December 29, 1957 and they had three children. They later divorced. Ron taught and coached at Union Junior High School and later was the Union Elementary School principal until his retirement in 1991.

Ron was a life-long hunter and fisherman. His parents instilled the love of the outdoors in him and he passed this love of the outdoors and hunting to his sons, Jon and David. Ron always looked forward to and enjoyed college game day, finding new recipes, military history and war movies, boating, snowmobiling and drives up the Grande Ronde River. He was a member of the local American Legion, the La Grande Eagles and the local B.P.O.E. Lodge.

Survivors include his daughter, Terri Carroll of San Diego, California; sons, Jon Carroll of Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and David Carroll of La Grande, Oregon; granddaughters, Crystal, Brianna and Jonilee Carroll of Lake Tahoe, Nevada; sister, Barbara Walker of Newberg, Oregon; aunt, Dorothy Crawford of Pocatello, Idaho; nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Glen, his infant sister Peggy, his brother-in-law Dale Walker, and other relatives.

Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at Loveland Funeral Chapel, followed by a graveside ceremony at Grandview Cemetery.

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