George Burnell Carroll

George Burnell Carroll, 85, of Amarillo passed away Wednesday, June 20, 2018.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 23, 2018 at Lake Tanglewood Community Church, 106 Tanglewood Dr.

George was born December 2, 1932 in Lamesa, TX to George Luther Carroll and Bernice Smith Carroll. The family moved to Amarillo in 1943. He attended and graduated from Amarillo High School in 1951.

George worked for Pioneer Natural Gass before joining the U.S. Marine Corps in 1953. He served as a drill instructor in San Diego, California during the Korean Conflict, until 1955. Their first son was born in San Diego. After George’s discharge, her returned to Pioneer Natural Gas. Their second son was born in Amarillo. George attended Amarillo College and West Texas University (now WTAMU) while working with Farmers Insurance and Morrow-Thomas Hardware. After graduating with a degree in Business Education, George began a teaching career.

George married Betty Chambers in 1951 and celebrated their 66th anniversary in 2017. In 1972, George and Betty moved to Fairbanks, Alaska where George was employed by the North Star School District as a vocational teacher. He received his Master’s Degree from the University of Alaska. In 1975, they moved to an Eskimo Village, Nuiqsut, Alaska, for a true “Bush” experience. They later transferred to the Borough Central Office in Barrow, Alaska where George held the position of Vocational Director for the North Slope Borough School District which covers an area as large as California and has eight schools throughout the area. Their eleven years in Alaska were exciting, informative, educational, and rewarding in so many ways. Only problem; their younger son, Cliff, decided to be a permanent resident of Alaska, and that made for a long distance to visit grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

With aging parents in Amarillo, George and Betty returned to Amarillo where they built a home at Lake Tanglewood. Their oldest son, Ted moved to the Dallas area which allowed for more frequent visits with that branch of family. Golfing became a priority in their lives, and they enjoyed quite a few trips with former teacher friends they worked with in Alaska. One trip took them to Great Britain and golf at St. Andrew’s in Scotland, and golf courses in England and Ireland. The golfing action continued with three other Lake Tanglewood couples that took them to Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah.

George was a member of Lake Tanglewood Community Church, L.T. Golf Association and was a 20 year member of L.T. Lions Club. He has enjoyed monthly luncheons with fellow 1951 graduates from Amarillo High School.

George was preceded in death by his parents, George and Bernice Carroll; and sister, Doris Bufkin.

He is survived by his wife, Betty; 2 sons, Ted Carroll and wife Pam of Coppell, TX and Clifford Carroll and wife Robin, of Ketchikan, Alaska; 4 grandchildren, Michael Carroll and wife, Claire of Denver, CO, Jenny Carroll of Austin, TX, Christopher Carroll and wife, Trinity of Fairbanks, Alaska, Kevin Carroll and wife Charisse of Silver Spring, MD; and 5 great-grandchildren, Austin, Kyler, Sara, Olivia and Noah.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Ronald McDonald House, 1501 Streit Dr. Amarillo, TX 79106 or to the RAC Athletic Center, Lake Tanglewood Community Church, 1000 Tanglewood Drive, Amarillo, TX 79118.