MICHAEL FRANCIS CARROLL

May 25, 1946 January 6, 2024

Michael Francis Carroll, 77, passed away on January 6, 2024, in Bakersfield, California after fighting multiple illnesses over the last few years. Mike was born on May 25, 1946 in the town of Compton, California. He leaves behind his wife, Susan Carroll, his son Mark, daughter-in-law Leslie, granddaughters Elyse and Sophia and many cousins and nieces.

Mike was preceded in death by his father William and mother Gerry.

Mike, the youngest of three children, grew up in Compton, California. He earned a bachelors degree from Loyola Marymount University, where he played on the university basketball team and worked his way through college working at TRW. In 1969, Mike started a long and successful career in education at Jacobson Jr. High School where he taught Math and Social Studies, coached baseball and officiated football and basketball games. In the 80's, Mike transferred to Tehachapi High School where he taught Social Studies and coached Varsity football, girls basketball and girls tennis. Later, drawing on his sports knowledge and computer skills, he became an outstanding Athletic Director. Mike finished his career teaching computer skills to colleagues.

Mike believed in living every second of every day. He met the love of his life, Sue, on a golf date and together traveled the world visiting Cancun, the Galpagos Islands, Grenada, Turkey, Europe, Australia, and many other locations. They enjoyed sailing and often chartered catamarans where they met other adventurers and often included family and friends.

In retirement, on his 10-acre farm in Hart Flat, it was common for Mike to work from sunrise to sunset using his bobcat machine to build miles of fences and roads. He also built houses with his friends and owned a boat. His hobbies included golf, tennis, pickle-ball, corn hole and traveling. Mike and Sue even competed at the National Pickle-ball tournament. Mike had a tennis court built at their home which they enjoyed with friends for years. Once a month, for 30 years, Mike and friends played poker in his manspace built over the garage.

Mike will be missed by countless friends and family members. He touched many lives and helped many students. He was also generous and would do anything for a friend in need.

Memorial services are scheduled at Greenlawn Funeral Home at 3700 River Blvd, Bakersfield, California on Friday, January 26, 2024 at 2 pm. Following the service is a reception at 3 pm at Bakersfield Country Club.

Flowers can be sent to either location if you'd like. Charitable donations can be made to The Mission at Kern County, if desired.

www.bakersfield.com/obits

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Bakersfield Californian from Jan. 20 to Jan. 21, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Carroll

Sponsored by Greenlawn Funeral Home Northeast.

19 Entries

Maxy

February 8, 2024

Simply the best friend, rest easy
Maxy and zoo

Sue Carroll

January 25, 2024

To my love, Mike.
Thank you for 33 years of happiness.
I love you, I love you, I love you.
We miss you so much.
Goodbye, my love.

John Bailey

Sent Flowers

Jan and Peter Daniello

January 24, 2024

Mike was a great tennis player and we enjoyed countless matches and tournaments with him and John. He was also a wonderful volunteer, the kind of person who would see something that needed doing and just do it without anyone asking. Above all he was devoted to Sue, whom he referred to as "Love" as if that was her name. We miss you Mike and send our heartfelt condolences to Sue and your family.

Bill Bowser

January 23, 2024

I met Mike and Sue about 15 years ago on a cruise in the Virgin Islands and established an enduring friendship. They invited me to accompany them to wonder places like the Galápagos Islands and Australia, which I probably would never have visited otherwise.

I will always cherish the memories of the time we spent together.

I will miss you, my friend.

John Strysik

January 23, 2024

Mike could be called the ultimate Entertainment Director. In Shakespeare's day he would have been the Master of Revels. He was always planning an adventure and they were all fantastic. The best was a two week trip to Australia with a week sailing the Great Barrier Reef, my wife Miriam scuba diving with Mike and Sue while I guarded the boat.

Mike was also one of the most generous person I ever met. Need a place to stay? Use Mike's place. Need help with a project? Mike is there. Want to learn how to golf? Mike is giving you his clubs.

He also had a wicked and always ready sense of humor. Mike could have slayed them at The Comedy Store.

But I think my best memory is the operatic love story between Mike and Sue; it was always a joy to be with them. Our deepest condolences to Sue - who Mike always called Love - and their family.

Mike and me happen to share a May 25th birthday. I wish we could have celebrated many, many more together.

He was a great guy. He will be missed.

Odean Long

Planted Trees

Heather Batterbury

January 23, 2024

Heartfelt condolences to Sue and family. Mike was such a lovely man and so accomplished many happy memories of your visit to the UK and in Sidney with George. You are in my thoughts. With love
Heather Batterbury

Bob and Lorraine White Capistrano Beach

January 22, 2024

Will always remember his smile and laugh. He was a great tennis player and gentleman. So sorry Sue and family for your loss.

Jim and Laura Cornwell

January 22, 2024

While we haven´t seen Mike and Sue for a few years, our memories of him on and off the tennis court are fond and everlasting. Our most sincere sympathies to Love and the rest of his family and friends. He will be missed.

Maxy

January 20, 2024

To make a difference in someone´s life you don´t have to be brilliant, rich or perfect, you just have to care.
It was a privilege meeting you in remote Western Australia while visiting with Sue. thank you for the memories and generous help. Maxy & zoo from Faberge Downs

Robert L Papac

January 20, 2024

R.I.P., Mike. We first met in the mid 80's, just prior to me transferring to CCI-Tehachapi, from C.I.M. Always thought the world of him. He was a credit to Tehachapi High and all who knew him.

DeLynn Killingsworth

January 20, 2024

He always had his cup of coffee with him all the time he was a awesome coach and teacher R.I.P. Mr carroll

Karie Aten

January 20, 2024

Mr. Carroll was a fantastic teacher. He taught ne in Jr. High and High school. He was my gymnastics coach and tennis coach. History became a favorite subject of mine, because if Mr. Carroll. Straight to the point, kind, fun and fair. Rest in Peace.

Kurt Beerline

January 20, 2024

Rest in peace Mr. Carroll my math teacher and coach from Jacobson Jr. High and Tehachapi High School!

Shelley Kingsbury

January 20, 2024

Mr. Carroll was my Driver's Ed instructor. He prefaced the course with"This is a key, the key goes into the ignition, and this starts your vehicle..." a good man, and most helpful to many years of Warriors. Rest in Peace Mr. Carroll.

Jim and Beth Herrera

January 20, 2024

You will be missed but you left us with lots of great memories.
Beth and Jim Herrera

John Bailey

January 20, 2024

John Bailey

January 20, 2024

I've known Mike well for over 25 years and we developed a close relationship centered at first around our mutual love of tennis. I've never known anyone quite like Mike and I miss him dearly.

Mike had many strong characteristics. He was the toughest man I've ever known. He seemed to dare pain to interfere with his enjoyment of life on his own terms. Even a few weeks before passing, Mike enjoyed golfing with friends, though his body was failing and was in constant pain. This was a recurring theme for Mike over the years including when he had his jaw broken while cutting firewood and having severe burns from a boating accident. He always found a way to stay the course and to enjoy every second.
Mike also loved to "be in charge" and was great in that role . As an Athletic Director, for instance, this trait suited him particularly well. Personally, I remember on tennis trips, Mike and Sue would head to bed after a long day of tennis and Mike would state, "Ok. You're in charge now". I teased him about it occasionally by stating that I wasn't sure what I was in charge of. I think I was in charge of the remote to the living room tv but I'm not certain". Mike was also compassionate. Years ago he noticed someone dumping a kitten from a car and he gathered the injured kitten and nursed it back to health. I think he also tried to follow and confront the driver but I'm not certain. That would definitely fit Mike's strong personality.

For many years, Mike and I traveled to tennis matches and tournaments where we would play doubles tennis. We rarely won a tournament but we both enjoyed competing and the comradery. Mike also had weekly get togethers at his house in Hart Flat where he, Sue and many friends enjoyed playing hours of tennis, pickle-ball, shuffleboard, corn hole and most of all, chatting afterwards in the garden over a drink or two and chips. Recently, Mike and Sue also included me and a few friends on a trip to Cancun which was an experience I'll always cherish. It is something I doubt I would have been able to do, otherwise.

Mike will be fondly remembered by countless friends for those reasons and much more.

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