Obituary: Frank Carroll

Frank (Francis Noxon) Carroll, 94, died Oct. 25, 2013 surrounded by his family.

A celebration of Frank’s life will be at 2 p.m., Saturday at Rick Martin Memorial Park in Riverside. In case of inclement weather, the celebration will be at the Grand Encampment Opera House.

As per Frank’s request, cookies and lemonade will be served. The family asks that attendees wear their favorite western shirt.

Frank was born on May 13, 1919 on the Carroll Ranch on the Little Laramie River near Laramie. He was the third child of Thomas and Gertrude Carroll. Frank grew up on the Carroll Ranch, where he learned to love livestock, especially horses. It was a love that continued throughout his life.

Frank attended country school on the ranch, then attended Laramie High School graduating in 1936. Frank attended the University of Wyoming where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and a member of the UW boxing team.

Frank was a saddle-born rider in his young years and that along with other escapades in his youth earned him the nickname of Fearless.

Frank joined the United States Army where he was a member of the 5th Horse Cavalry division at Fort Lewis, Wash. Following the death of his father, Frank returned to the family ranch. At the beginning of the United States involvement in World War II, Frank enlisted in the United States Navy, serving in the Pacific.

On March 4, 1947, Frank married his high school sweetheart Jane Davis in Scottsbluff, Neb. To this union two daughters, Candace and Jana were born. They lived and ranched on the Little Laramie until 1956 when they purchased Cow Creek Ranch near Encampment.

Together they ranched in the Encampment Valley until Mrs. Carroll’s death in 1983. In 1984, Frank sold the Cow Creek Ranch and moved to Casa Grande, Ariz., where he along with his daughters, raised alfalfa and raced a string of quarter horse race horses. In 1995 he returned to his beloved Wyoming, still raising horses and this time longhorn cattle. Frank also helped his granddaughter Jane with her flock of 4-H sheep.

Frank was a longtime member of the Encampment-Riverside Lions Club, and was one of the original organizers of the Woodchoppers Jamboree Rodeo. He was one of the first ranches to introduce Charolais cattle to the Encampment Valley. Frank was the first recipient of the Pioneer Cowboy award given by the Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering Outift.

Frank was preceded in death by his wife Jane, his parents; brother Howard; sisters Mary, Theresa, Jeanne and Margaret; one nephew and two nieces.

Survivors include daughters Candace (Dwight) France, Jana (Dennis) Cook, both of Encampment; granddaughter Jane M. France, of Cheyenne; grandchildren Jana (David) Kendall, San Clemente, Calif., Jim (Sunni) Cook, Phoenix, Ariz., Matthew (Laura) Cook, Polk City, Iowa; and Glen Thomas (Jessica) Cook, of Waxhaw, N.C. Frank is also survived by his brother Michael, of Laramie, special niece Roberta Gail Giffin, special nephew, Tom Giffin, special friend Laurie Fletcher, six nephews and seven nieces.

Those who wish may donate to the Faye Romero Fund in care of Dr. Warner McFarland, DVM, Box 1469, Rawlins, WY 82301. Donations to this fund are used to help defray veterinary service expenses for senior citizen’s pets.