Kenneth Paul Carroll

Kenneth "Kenny" Paul Carroll died peacefully Saturday, July 2, 2016 surrounded by his loving and devoted family. His passion for life and memorable sense of humor were only matched by his love for family and friends and the unique, meaningful ways he invested his time and energy into each of his relationships. Following his 2013 pancreatic cancer diagnosis, it was both his “glass is half full” outlook and his desire to keep enjoying life with his wife, children and grandsons that continuously strengthened his will to fight valiantly and live life to the fullest each day. A celebration of Kenny’s life will be held Saturday, July 9 at 1 pm at Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church, 2165 Highway 138 SW, Riverdale, GA 30296 with a reception immediately following at the church. Born on July 25, 1951 in Lakewood, OH to Neal and Leone Carroll, Kenny was the second of six children and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Pleasant Hills, PA. It was there that he met and fell in love with his wife, Lynn. He loved to tell the story that at first he doubted he would ever get her to marry him. Luckily, Lynn proved him wrong and they built a beautiful family sharing 43 fun-filled years together. Their love for one another was enjoyed by so many – especially when you’d catch them telling a funny story together laughing and finishing each other’s sentences. A graduate of Duquesne University and a natural relationship builder, Kenny led a successful sales career, working for the past 16 years with Gema US as Regional Sales Manager. Using his God-given gifts outside of work, too, he was probably best known for titles like “coach,” “mentor” and “friend,” proven by the fact that all who knew him could recount memorable “Kenny stories” or relay how impactful his presence in their lives had been. His relentless love for sports began early and never stopped. He played baseball in high school, was a diehard Pittsburgh Steelers fan, and spent virtually every Saturday morning enjoying time with his son or special friends playing golf. And if Saturdays were spent on the golf course, on Sundays you’d find him in church. A man of faith and tradition, Kenny loved the Thanksgiving holiday best because of the opportunity it allowed him to gather family and friends and express how thankful he was for them. Kenny is already dearly missed, but warmly remembered through the lifetime of memories and love he gave to all who knew him. He leaves behind: his beloved wife, Lynn, and his two children and their spouses who were his absolute pride and joy – son and daughter-in-law, Danny and Susan Carroll and daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Jimmy Lynch; his beautiful mother, Leone Carroll; five of the most fun-loving siblings a brother could have; Dan Carroll, Joanie Snyder, Marilyn Kane, David Carroll and Tom Carroll; his adored (and adorable) grandsons Hudson Carroll and Andrew Lynch; caring in-laws Dan & Norma Jean Black; and many nieces and nephews who grew-up knowing “Uncle Kenny Sir” loved them and could always be depended on to make them feel special. He was preceded in death by his father, Neal “Lefty” Carroll, who Kenny fondly celebrated and honored throughout his life to ensure his jokes, pranks and traditions continued. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (pancan.org), 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266. Condolences or favorite memories/stories about Kenny would be cherished and may be sent to: Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church, c/o Pastor Jeff Halenza for Kenny Carroll Family, 2165 Highway 138 SW, Riverdale, GA 30296. Parrott Funeral Home, Fairburn, Georgia.

Kenneth Paul Carroll

July 25, 1951 - July 2, 2016