James Soisson Carroll, 88,
of Mendota passed away Feb.
23, 2014, in his home.
Mass of Christian burial will be at
10:30 a.m. Friday 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 in
Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota.
He was born April 11, 1925, in
Portage, Wis., 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 U.S. Navy
in 1944 and Marge
was a student at
the University of
Wisconsin.
Jim was a Naval
aircraft carrier fighter
pilot during World
War II. In 1949 he
received a bachelor
of science degree
in mechanical engineering from the
University of Wisconsin. Jim and Marge,
along with four other alumni couples,
attended every one of the Wisconsin
homecoming football games from 1946-
2003, 57 straight years.
Jim was president and chief executive
officer of Black Bros. Co. in Mendota
1957-1995. Black Bros. is Mendota's
oldest family-owned manufacturing
firm, founded in 1882. He remained
involved in the company as chairman of
the board until the time of his death.
Jim was deeply involved in the community.
He was a founding board member
of Mendota Junior Tackle football
program, member of Holy Cross
Parish, Mendota Elks Lodge, Mendota
American Legion, served as president
of Mendota Lions Club and president
of 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
Sweet Corn Festival parade. They also
were named "Trailblazers" by Mendota
Museum and Historical Society.
Jim is survived by his wife; three
sons, Dr. John Carroll of Cherry Hills
Village, Colo., Robert (Emily) Carroll
of Chicago and Matt (Kristi) Carroll of
Mendota; 10 grandchildren, Ian, Nick,
Adam, Grace, Evan, James, Brooke,
Frank, Megan and Bria; two greatgrandchildren,
Kaden and Billy; and one
sister, Eleanor Humphrey of Portage,
Wis.
He was preceded in death by his
parents; one sister, Marian Bohn; and
a 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.