Carroll Pimpler

Carroll Lee Pimpler was born March 14, 1938, in Yarrelton, TX, the son of Erwin and Emelia Pimpler.
Carroll was baptized on May 1, 1938 at St. James Church in Ben Arnold, TX, and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in Rockdale, TX on June 15, 1952, by Reverend F.T. Sager.
Carroll grew up in Sharp, TX, where he helped his parents work the farm and tend to the animals, often driving the tractor during the day until being relieved by his dad who continued farming into the night after work. In his early years, Carroll enjoyed spending time with his sister Barbara and their many cousins, exploring the countryside, working on and riding his scooter, including one legendary trip down the hall of the Sharp School. While being out and about, one of the tasks he dreaded was rounding up cattle that got loose, the worst of which was once walking all the way to San Gabriel to drag their bull back. Fortunately, at the gas station in Sharp he learned automotive bodywork and painting which became a lifelong obsession and he vowed to never own cows again.
Carroll got his first job at age 8 with Prewitt Drug Store in Rockdale. Mr. Prewitt gave him a bicycle to make deliveries with. He got his hardship license at 14 to work and help the family after his father became ill. From the desire to drive and early car magazines Carroll developed a love of customizing cars that never ended. In 1953, his dad passed away, and he became the head of the household, taking care of his mother and sister. The family moved to Rockdale, and it was there that he met the love of his life, Gloria Jean Skopek. They were in the same confirmation class, and both worked at Strickers Variety Store where they often were sent to opposite ends of the store so they wouldn't talk their whole shift.
During and after graduation from Rockdale High School in 1956, Carroll worked at Gaither Motor Company and other jobs until joining the army and was sent to basic training at Fort Chaffee in Arkansas. When he found out he was being shipped overseas to France, he sent Gloria an engagement ring in a cigar box and asked her to marry him which she gladly accepted and began planning the wedding. He returned to Rockdale on leave and they were married on August 17, 1958 at Peace Lutheran Church in Rockdale, TX by Reverend F.T. Sager. After a short honeymoon at the Texas coast, they briefly parted with Carroll boarding a ship to France and Gloria following via airplane that December. They called it their "2-year honeymoon in France," traveling with Army friends every weekend. They returned home to Rockdale shortly after their first son, Richard Ray, was born on July 12, 1960.
Carroll eventually moved the family to Austin where he worked at Doug Scales Body Shop and Allstate Insurance, before buying Lamar Body Shop in 1972 which he operated until selling it in 1976 so he could open a body shop at Leigh Motors in Round Rock, closer to home. In 1979, he fulfilled a dream by opening an automotive restoration shop called Classic Car Center in Round Rock. He was very well known for the quality of his workmanship, especially paint jobs, which brought him business from all over the state. In 1984, he restored a historic building in Hutto and opened an auto parts and hardware store there before accepting a job with USAA from which he retired in April 2003.
Son Randall Lee was born in Rockdale on February 4, 1965, and daughter Cheree Rene was born in Austin on December 19, 1969.
Carroll taught us many things by the way he lived his life – he was a Christian, a loving husband, a caring father, a talented body man, an entrepreneur, a patriot, a hard worker and the best grandpa to his 5 grandchildren. He loved his wife of 64 years and adored showering her with gifts. He made each of his grandchildren feel special by having a unique project for each of them in his shop.
Gloria was diagnosed with cancer in 2000, and Carroll suffered a heart attack in 2010. The next 20+ years were full of grandchildren. Though peppered with health challenges, they were both shining examples of what "in sickness and in health" really meant as they loved and supported each other through it all. Despite the challenges, they had the blessing of spending much quality time with family and friends, watching their grandkids grow up, marry and give them great-grandchildren. After losing Gloria in 2023, Carroll was able to stay in his home and live independently, going out to his shop daily to work on numerous projects. He continued to care for the home and family they had built together.
Carroll Lee Pimpler, 87 of Round Rock, TX was surrounded by his three children and his eldest grandson when he passed to be with his Lord and Savior early in the morning of December 25, 2025. He was under the care of his family with the assistance of hospice for 5 days, allowing them the blessing of sweet moments with each of his children and grandchildren, his sister and other family as well as friends and coworkers.
Carroll was preceded in death by his parents Erwin and Emelia Pimpler, his stepfather Edgar Werchan and his wife Gloria Jean Pimpler. He is survived by his sister Barbara Sager and husband Lannie; Sister-in-law Becky Tatman and husband Jim; Children: Richard Pimpler and wife Lisa; Randy Pimpler; Cheree Peterson and husband Rusty; Grandchildren: Brent Garcia and wife Melissa, Colton Pimpler, Russell Peterson, Ben Pimpler and wife Margeaux, Cassidy Murphy and husband Andrew; great grandchildren: Sofia Garcia, Dmitri Pimpler and August Pimpler.
Pallbearers: Richard Pimpler, Randy Pimpler, Rusty Peterson, Brent Garcia, Colton Pimpler, Russell Peterson, Ben Pimpler, and Andrew Murphy.
Arrangements have been made at Palm Valley Lutheran Church in Round Rock, TX for Friday, January 2, 2026. Visitation will be at 10 am and funeral service at 11 am with burial to follow in the Palm Valley Cemetery.
If you would like to make a memorial contribution, please consider: Palm Valley Lutheran Church, 2500 E. Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78664 or Oakridge Ministries, P.O. Box 542, Florence, TX 76527.