James S. Carroll
James Soisson Carroll, 88, of Mendota passed away February 23 at his home. Services will be Friday, February 28 at 10:30 a.m. in Holy Cross Church, Mendota with the Rev. Fredi Gomez Torres officiating. Burial will follow at Restland Cemetery, Mendota with Military rites by VFW Post 4079. Visitation is 4-7 p.m. Thursday, February 27 in Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota.
He was born April 11, 1925 in Portage, Wisconsin to John F. and Anena (Soisson) Carroll. He married Marjorie Black on June 27, 1946 in Mendota. They met while Jim was on leave from the Navy in 1944 and Marge was a student at the University of Wisconsin.
Jim was a Naval Aircraft Carrier Fighter Pilot in World War II. In 1949, he received a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin. Jim & Marge, along with four other Alumni couples, attended every one of the Wisconsin Homecoming Football games from 1946-2003 (57 straight years).
Jim held the position of President & CEO of Black Bros. Co. from 1957 to 1995. Black Bros. is Mendota’s oldest family owned manufacturing firm which was founded in 1882. He remained involved in the company as Chairman of the Board up until the time of his death.
Jim was deeply involved in the community throughout his lifetime. He was a founding Board Member of Mendota Junior Tackle Football program, a member of Holy Cross Parish, Mendota Elks Lodge, Mendota American Legion, served as President of the Mendota Lions Club and President of the Mendota Golf Club. His term on the Mendota Community Hospital Board of Directors spanned 40 years.
Jim enjoyed traveling, golf, reading, fishing, and spending time with his family on Swan Lake in Wisconsin.
In 1998, Jim and his wife, Marge, were recipients of the H.D. Hume Outstanding Service Award and in 2005, were honored as Grand Marshals of the 58th Annual Mendota Sweet Corn Festival Parade. They were also named “Trailblazers” by the Mendota Museum & Historical Society.
Jim is survived by his wife; three sons – Dr. John Carroll of Cherry Hills Village, Colorado; Robert (Emily) of Chicago and Matt (Kristi) of Mendota; one sister, Eleanor Humphrey of Portage, Wisconsin; 10 grandchildren (Ian, Nick, Adam, Grace, Evan, James, Brooke, Frank, Megan, Bria) and 2 great-grandchildren (Kaden & Billy). He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Marian Bohn; and one daughter-in-law, Dr. Eugenia Carroll.
Pallbearers will be Pat Reeder, Ian Carroll, Nick Carroll, Adam Carroll, Evan Carroll and James Carroll.
Memorials may be directed to Holy Cross Church or Mendota Community Hospital.