Samuel Jacob Carroll

Judge, Samuel J. Carroll, 68, of Abilene, Texas passed away Thursday, August 06, 2015 following injuries suffered in a tragic bicycle accident. Judge Carroll was participating in the Tour de Gap Bike-A-Thon benefiting the Abilene Food Bank when the accident occurred. Funeral services for Judge Carroll will be held on Monday, August 10, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Abilene, Texas followed by interment at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery with military honors. Dr. Phil Christopher will be officiating. Services are under the direction of Hamil Family Funeral Home. A visitation will be held on Sunday, August 9, 2015 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, TX. Samuel J. Carroll, III was born December 2, 1946, in Greenville, Mississippi to Samuel Jacob Carroll, II and Laura Blount Carroll. He married Grace Ann Chrustic on May 22, 1992. A life-long learner, Judge Carroll’s array of educational credentials include a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Mississippi in 1969; Master of Education from Mississippi State University in 1974 and a Master’s degree in Counseling and Human Development from Hardin-Simmons University in 1994. He earned a Juris Doctorate from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law in 1998. Sam Carroll was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1999. Sam sought out life and did not wait for it to come to him. As an Army Combat Arms officer, Sam Carroll served freedom’s cause for twenty-five years before retiring in 1995. Included in his military service was the supervision of the R.O.T.C. programs in this region which included Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene Christian University, McMurry University and Howard Payne University. He also was a graduate of the Army’s Command and General Staff College. His specialties were aviation and military intelligence. Upon retirement, he was a highly decorated Lieutenant Colonel. As a Veteran of Foreign Wars he served in foreign theatres. Sam Carroll’s life can best be described as a true public servant. A new profession in law brought him back to Abilene. For eleven years he served the people of Taylor County as an Assistant District Attorney. With the encouragement of friends and colleagues combined with the vote of the citizens of Taylor County, Carroll was elected Judge of Taylor County Court at Law #2 in November, 2010. He was re-elected to this judicial position in November, 2014 and faithfully served the people of Taylor County for the past five years. Judge Carroll was known for a deep commitment to the rule of law. In addition, he had a reputation for community involvement and a generous spirit. Judge Carroll served his community as an active board member of Meals on Wheels, Salvation Army Advisory Board and was a member of the Hardin-Simmons University Board of Development. All of Sam Carroll’s adult life was devoted to servanthood. He was known for strong leadership, impeccable character combined with a genuine interest and concern for others. Sam Carroll is preceded in death by his mother, Laura Blount Carroll and his father, Samuel Jacob Carroll, II of Greenville, MS. Judge Carroll is survived by his wife, Grace Ann Carroll of Abilene, TX.; his daughter Laura Carroll Prewitt and son-in-law Kirby Prewitt of Belton, TX.: grandsons Jacob Henry Armstrong and Zachary Hagen Armstrong of Belton, TX.; his brother, John Blount Carroll of Jackson, TN.; nephew, John Blount Carroll, Jr. of Tupelo, MS.; cousin, Jay Blount of Greenville, MS. and an aunt, Margaret Walker, of Plano, TX. Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels, The Salvation Army, The Sam and Grace Carroll Endowed Scholarship Fund at HSU or the charity of your choice. The Carroll family would like to extend special appreciation to many medical personnel who have extended their love through their medical professions during this very trying time. This includes the tender attention of those in Hendrick ICU and Hospice Care. Grace Carroll extends special appreciation to Joy Ellinger and Joel Wilks for their loyal friendship and devotion since Judge Carroll was first admitted to ICU. Micah 6:8 8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.