Roy Carroll Obituary

Roy Carroll, a devoted father, grandfather, brother, and a quiet but steady pillar of his community, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2025, after a life spent lifting others and living out the belief that we are all here to care for one another.

He was born in Pelham, Texas, a Black farming community, to Zeno Carroll and Laura Porter Carroll. He was the eighth of nine children and the identical twin of Troy. His siblings were Theresa, Kelly, Eunice, Edward, Norma, Louise, and Walter (Frank). Zeno was a school principal and one of several teachers in the town's small schoolhouse. Laura played the piano and gave lessons. Roy lost his mother at a young age-Laura died around 1939—and Zeno eventually remarried. The couple and the youngest four children later moved west to Colorado City, Texas.

Roy grew up surrounded by siblings, love, and the lessons that come from both joy and hardship. When his stepmother,

Ella, later suffered a disabling stroke, the family faced yet another turning point. Through it all, Roy learned resilience, responsibility, and the power of family bonds.

At just 16 years old, in June of 1948, Roy left rural Texas for Denver. He moved to the city to be cared for by his sisters—

Theresa, Eunice, Norma, and Louise-who had already made Denver their home. He arrived a true country boy, wide-eyed and curious, taking in the bustle of the city while holding tight to the values that shaped him: humility, hard work, and a willingness to help wherever help was needed.

Roy attended Manual High School, where he picked up the tuba simply because the band needed tuba players. That small moment captured something essential about him: if there was a need and he could fill it, he stepped forward without hesitation. That spirit of service became the thread running through his entire life.

Music was one of Roy's great joys. He sang with the Spirituals Project Community Choir-later part of the University of

Denver-sharing not just his voice but his faith, his warmth, and his deep connection to the spiritual traditions that shaped him. A man grounded in his beliefs, Roy was a longtime member of Scott Methodist Church and later found a loving home at People's Presbyterian Church, where his church family became an extension of his own.

Roy builta long and respected career with the United States Postal Service, serving as a supervisor at the Main Post

Office downtown. He approached his work the same way he approached everything else—with integrity, steadiness, and a commitment to doing things the right way.

But Roy's true calling was community. He believed deeply in the democratic process and in the responsibility each person carries to make their community better. He was active in local and national politics, registering voters, advocating for justice, and reminding everyone around him that democracy only works when people show up.

One of the most beautiful parts of Roy's life was the bond he shared with his identical twin brother, Troy. Their connection went far beyond genetics. They built things together-homes, projects, memories-

-and supported one another in ways

only twins can. Side by side, tools in hand, they created a lifetime of shared work and shared joy.

Roy married the love of his life, Dolly Wilson. He often said, "She was so beautiful." They married on June 27, 1954, and welcomed their first child soon after. Dolly and Roy created a home filled with warmth, laughter, and purpose. They raised four sons-Roderick, Michael, Dale, and Wayne-

-and for more than 60 years, their home at 3080 Krameria Street was

more than a house. It was a gathering place, a safe haven, and a cornerstone of the neighborhood. Roy was a proud grandfather to Kerrie, Amina, and Te'Angela, who knew him as a source of wisdom, gentleness, and unconditional love.

Roy also had an adventurous spirit. He traveled the world with Dolly and with Troy, collecting stories, memories, and experiences that stretched far beyond anything a young boy from Texas could have imagined. Back home, he found joy in bowling leagues, where he was known not just for his game but for his friendship and good humor.

Roy is preceded in death by his parents, Zeno and Laura Porter Carroll; his beloved wife, Dolly; his son, Wayne; his sisters Theresa, Eunice, Norma, and Louise; and his brothers Kelly, Edward, and Walter (Frank). He leaves behind his identical twin and lifelong companion in all things, Troy; his sons Roderick, Dale and Michael and his wife Cheryl; his granddaughters Kerri Ampry, Amina Joyner and Te’Angela Carroll; and a wide circle of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends whose lives he touched with his steady presence, his quiet strength, and his unwavering love.

Roy Carroll didn’t just live a life-he built one. He built a family, a community and legacy of service, faith and love. And in the hearts and hands of all who knew him, that legacy lives on.