Henry H. Carroll

Henry ""Hank"" Carroll, 90, died on August 9, 2009 surrounded by an adoring family. Born on November 29, 1918 in a log cabin in Salmon, Idaho, he was the first child of Annette Culloton Carroll and Henry Heathorn Carroll. Hank and his three siblings (Chuck, Annette, and Bill) grew up in Skokie, Illinois, where Hank learned to play basketball and golf, the games he would continue to enjoy throughout his life. As a basketball star at Niles Township High School in Skokie, he led the Northeastern Illinois conference in scoring, setting a longstanding school record, before going on to play at the University of Illinois. In 1941, Hank was drafted into the Army and was sent to Denver, where he met his future bride, Dorothy Ellen Zook. After World War II, Hank graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in business. Hank and Dorothy were the proud parents of four daughters, Cathy (Ted Fonk), Therese (Harry Grant), Patty (Dave Crippen), and Jeannette (Tim Shea). Over the course of a long and successful career, Hank was a valued senior sales executive at Colorado Metal Products. Hank was an avid golfer, having shot his first hole-in-one at age 19. He played often in the Colorado Open, including winning a first place designation in 1975, and in later years he played almost daily with his Windsor golfing buddies. He had a lifelong love of dancing, from after-dinner practice sessions in the living room with his young daughters, to gala nights with Dorothy at Elitch's Trocadero Ballroom, and in recent years at the Elks Club and Windsor Gardens. Throughout his life, Hank was a philosopher and humorist. He wrote, ""Happiness is long range. You must work for it, look for it, expect it, and smile, smile, smile. You receive much more happiness by giving of yourself than by receiving anything from others. And the one big item is Love. . . you have to love one another to enjoy the happiness in helping others."" Hank embodied those sentiments in the way he lived his life and gave to his community. He served as President of the St. Philomena's Men's Club, Optimist Club, Toastmasters, and Silverado Club at Church of the Risen Christ. He was a Cub Scout troop leader, and for 18 years led Junior Great Books discussion groups for high school students. From 1959 through 2009 he rarely missed the annual men's retreat at Sacred Heart Retreat House. Hank practiced his faith every day by living life to the fullest. Hank is survived by his four daughters, his grandchildren Gwen Fonk (Kleinert), Tony Fonk; Gabriel, Matthew, and Christine Grant; Julianne Merz (Froehlich); Emily, Claire, and Callie Shea; and by his great grandchildren Max and Teddy Kleinert, Ryan Fonk, David Merz, Emma and Jacob Froehlich. Hank was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, his brother Bill, and his son-in-law Ted Fonk. Memorial Rosary Service Tuesday, August 18, 12:30 p.m. with a Memorial Mass following at 1:00 p.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 2626 E. Seventh Avenue Parkway, Denver, CO 80206. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Retreat House, 4801 N. Highway 67, Sedalia, CO 80135-8907. Thank you for sharing your memories of Hank and condolences with the family by clicking the guestbook link below.