Dr. George B. Carroll Jr.

Dr. George B. Carroll, Jr.
June 16, 1943 to April 9, 2017

George was born on June 16, 1943 in Waterbury, Connecticut to George and Evelyn Carroll.  George, Sr. was a career military officer who served with the Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1946 when it became the United States Air Force. George, Sr. retired from the USAF in 1975 after serving 37 years and fighting in World War II, Korea and Vietnam wars. Because of his father’s military career, George lived on four different military bases on the East Coast during his early childhood.  The family moved to Colorado Springs in 1952 where George attended 4th and 5th grades.

In 1954 George Sr. was assigned to Tokyo, Japan.  Evelyn and her young son boarded a troop ship out of San Francisco and sailed for eleven days to join his father in Japan.  George’s memories of those eleven days at sea were the waters were very rough and not pleasant.

George spent from 1954 to 1957 in Japan.  He has fond memories of that time including taking riding lessons on a horse named Oklahoma.

In 1957, the family moved to Hawaii for his father’s next tour of duty.  A year later they moved to Bangor, Maine.  George attended his first three years of High School there.  

In 1961, George, Sr. once again was reassigned to Omaha, Nebraska.  George’s parents decided George, Jr. needed a more structured educational environment so they enrolled him in Ryken High School, a Catholic preparatory boarding school in Leonardtown, Maryland for his senior year.  George graduated in 1962 from Ryken High School.

In the Fall of 1962, George started his collegiate studies at St. Gregory’s Junior College in Shawnee, Oklahoma.  He graduated two years later in 1964 with an Associates of Science Degree.

In the fall of 1964, George began his baccalaureate degree at the University of Oklahoma.  In 1966, George received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Science and Engineering.  In 1967, George was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the USAF.  George continued his studies from 1968 to 1971 at OU working towards his Ph.D.  While at OU, his father was stationed in Panama in 1966 - 67.  George spent his summers in Panama with his parents.

In 1971, George was stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, NM. George qualified as a pilot and received his license in August 1971.  He was assigned as a Biomedical Scientist in Industrial Hygiene. While stationed at Kirtland, he continued his studies for his Ph.D.  In June of 1973, George completed his dissertation and received his Ph.D. in Environmental Science.  In June 1975, George mustered out of the United States Air Force as a Captain. While at Kirtland, George began playing Rugby. This would become a lifetime love.

After leaving the Air Force, George joined the Energy Research Administration in Albuquerque as an Industrial Hygiene Scientist.  This agency was later named the Department of Energy (National Nuclear Administration).  George was in this agency for 37 years until his retirement in 2007.  He spent his first years as an Industrial Hygiene Scientist, and later as a Director in the Emergency Management Division. George, nicknamed, the Commander, began his Rugby career with the USAF Weapons Laboratory Nomads RFC and played for the Aardvarks for 17 years, including several overseas tours in England, Wales, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Canada.  A consummate supporter and alumni of the University of Oklahoma rugby team, he was mainly responsible for their annual visits to the High Desert Rugby Classic. A stroke in 1990 ended his rugby career as a player, but George was an active member of the “Varks Club” for 42 years.  He traveled to many away games and was regularly seen on the sidelines in Oklahoma, Texas, Illinois, Colorado and anywhere the lads were playing to cheer them on. Spiritually and financially he was one of the Varks greatest supporters. In 2010 The Commander was inducted into the Ardvark Hall of Fame 1st Class. And just weeks ago, he and the Aarvarks were inducted into the  OU Rugby Hall of fame.  

In 1992, George married his wife, Linda.  They have spent the last twenty-five years sharing life in their Corrales home. George and Linda enjoyed travel, friends, Rugby and hosting parties in their home (which they have spent the last several years having updates and additions to).  Some of their most memorable trips were Alaskan, Mediterranean, and Panama Canal Cruises with family and friends, as well as a trip to Hong Kong for an International Sevens Rugby Tournament.  And many more trips to/or with friends and family to Sedona, Key West, Grand Canyon, DC, Maryland, Florida, Ohio, Arizona, California, Seattle and more.

After Rugby, one of George’s passions was OU Football!  He never missed watching a game - sometimes over and over!  And he wouldn’t take any phone calls during a game.  During our weekend in Norman in March, we had the honor of having a tour of the newly renovated UO Football Stadium - a “bucket list” event!  Thank you David and Larry!

He was also crazy about Porsche Autos.  He was a long time member of the Porsche Club of America and looked forward to annual events put on by the Club. And then there were the dogs he had over the years - he loved none more than the current Labradoodle, Skylar.  He said it made him happy to go to the park with Linda and Skylar to watch them play.

George always said that as soon as he got to New Mexico he was “geographically captured”.  He loved the weather, the chili and New Mexican cuisine. Pre -stroke he was an avid skier.  He spent many happy times on the slopes of the great places in New Mexico to ski, especially Taos. George also enjoyed the hunting trips he made with good buddies over the years.

His family and his friends were always top priority and each and every one of them knew it!  He was a proud American, Veteran and a very generous and loving man! May we always remember him with the most joyous memories of the wonderful life he lived!