Donald R. Carroll died peacefully Sunday morning August 8, 2010 at the VA Medical Center in Sheridan, Wyoming. A memorial service will be held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1 South Tschirgi, on Saturday August 14th at 10:00 am. Arrangements are with Champion Ferries Funeral Home.

Don was born November 20, 1921 in Spokane, Washington, to Granville and Alta (Wallace) Carroll. He was the second born of their fourteen children. The family returned to their native Sheridan in 1924 where Granville joined his father, George Carroll in the family real estate business. So began Don’s love and dedication to Sheridan County.

Don graduated from Sheridan High School in 1941. He was a proud member of the State Champion Football teams of 1938 & 1940.

Don served with the Marines in the Pacific during World War II. He participated in several landings with the Second Marines before being wounded and sent to Hawaii and North Carolina for recuperation. While en route to rejoin his unit in the Pacific, the war ended. Don considered himself a lifelong marine, never an “ex-marine.”

Don joined his father at Carroll Realty Company in 1947. The local real estate boards, along with the Insurance Agents groups lost momentum during the war. Don worked hard to reactivate and rebuild these organizations.

Don and Shirley Elstrom married on August 31, 1949. They had threes sons, John, Geoff and Steve. Fatherhood and farming came easy to Don. He was scoutmaster, baseball coach, fisherman, irrigator and tractor driver. Don and Shirley kept the boys on the move and were models of community service and love for Sheridan County. Shirley died in 1979.

In June 1980 Don married Elaine Eisenman. Elaine’s three children soon appreciated Don’s outgoing, welcoming nature. Don and Elaine enjoyed traveling in the U.S. and Mexico and attending Marine Corp reunions. Don sold Carroll Realty in 1990 retiring in 1995.

Don loved Sheridan County and the opportunities it offered. He enjoyed serving on the Sheridan College Board of Trustees for six years, the B.F. Perkins Foundation Board, the Wyoming Real Estate Commission for 5 years and numerous Boy Scout positions. He was Wyoming Realtor of the Year in 1966. Don was a lifelong Democrat.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters. Sadly, Don’s sister, Sylvia Daley, passed only hours after Don. He was also preceded in death by stepson, Mark Eisenman.

Don is survived by his wife Elaine, sons John, Geoff, Steve, stepson David Eisenman and daughter Lisa Reece, 18 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He is survived by siblings Lilas Cox, Rachel Terry, Gerald Carroll, Neal Carroll, Docia Schuman, Lluada Larsen, George Carroll and Ella Krull.

If donors wish, they contribute in Don’s memory to Volunteers of America-Homeless Veterans 1876 S. Sheridan Ave. Sheridan, WY 82801 or to CHAPS P.M.B. 201 1842 Sugarland Dr. Ste. 108, Sheridan, WY 82801.

SheridanMedia.com - August 10, 2010.