James Michael Carroll 5/8/41 - 11/5/23

Jim Carroll answered to many callings throughout his life, and he rose to each of them with passion and skill.

Born to Rose (Breithaupt) and Robert (Bob) Carroll, he was the second child of seven, and the first boy in the family. His position as the oldest son was determinative in his life path, as his father passed when Jim was still in high school. At the time, the family operated three bakeries in Traverse City, known as Carroll's Bakery. Jim stepped in as the patriarch of the family to operate the bakeries and provide for his mother, grandmother (Mary Breithaupt), and younger siblings. Jim arrived at the bakery at 2:00 a.m. and worked until he had to attend class at St. Francis High School at 7:30 a.m. His first hour history teacher, Sister Angelique, was aware of his responsibilities and benevolently allowed him to "catch a few ZZ's during class." Jim, and his loving wife Carolyn (Peplinski), would continue to operate the bakery for the next several decades. Some of Carroll's Bakery specialties, including salt rising bread and poppyseed kolaches, remain legend.

Jim's sister, Nancy, tragically passed at a young age. Jim's other siblings; Kay, Mary Ann, Jean, Tom and Pat describe him as their "hero" and "father figure" - the brother who walked his sisters down the aisle; and the one who could always reassure them that "everything will be alright." His siblings, and their spouses; Larry, Pat, Don, Diane and Beckie remained his closest friends throughout his life. He held his sister-in-law, Arlene Hinds (Peplinski), and niece, Mandie, in the same regard.

Notwithstanding his obligations at the bakery, Jim continued to perform as a star athlete in football, basketball, baseball, and track and field. His passion for St. Francis athletics continued until his final days. After graduating from high school in 1959, Jim began coaching junior varsity football, and over the decades, that role expanded to include varsity football, junior varsity and varsity basketball and track and field. In 2022, Coach Carroll completed his 63rd season with the St. Francis varsity football program. While he helped shepherd St. Francis to many state championships, his greatest contribution was to the thousands of young men whose lives he touched in a positive way. His fellow coaches, numbering in the dozens, were and are, some of his best of friends. He taught that "Success is getting better every day. It doesn't matter how you play on Friday night as long as you are getting better every day!"

In addition to his on-field duties, Coach Carroll was always active behind the scenes. He drove the bus (and repaired it when it broke down), renovated the locker rooms and weight rooms, built the scoreboards, trophy cases and side-line water stations. There was not anything that Jim could not create or repair. With his father-in-law Eddie Peplinski, he built the house that he and Carolyn moved into when they married. He would subsequently remodel homes for himself and his children, build cars and trailers, and many other "gadgets" during his tenure with Britten Banners.

From a very early age, Jim also had a passion for cars, motors, motorcycles and all things going fast. When Jim was only three, he managed to climb into the Anheuser-Busch panel truck parked in his family driveway, start the engine, and drive through the garage door. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but it was the beginning of many escapades dealing with his "toys," which included a roadster he salvaged and called "the Looker", a jacked-up four-wheel drive truck, a dune buggy, a customized hot pink Jeep, a Gold Wing Honda, and a black Harley-Davidson "Fat Boy," to name just a few. Some of his fondest adult memories are the road trips he took with Carolyn and their friends on their motorcycles and in their cars, whether it be to New York City or the Hayloft Inn. It was truly a second childhood for him.

In 1962, Jim and his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Peplinski, were married. They remained life partners until Carolyn's passing in 2020. Together they had three children, Michael, Scott and Kristin. Jim brought the same passion to fatherhood that he brought to everything else. That commitment was tested early on when his daughter "Krissy" was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. Jim and Carolyn weathered the unspeakable tragedy of a chronically ill child and her passing at age four. They then redoubled their efforts to be the best parents they could to their sons. Jim and Carolyn drove hundreds of miles supporting Mike with his equestrian pursuits and Scott as a trailblazer on the motor cross circuit. Jim built and equipped trailers with everything necessary to ensure comfort and prowess in their chosen recreational activities.

Jim's passion as a father carried over to his role as a grandfather to Gunnar, Savannah, Logan, Ashton and Peyton, and in his final year, as a great grandfather to Frankie Lou. His grandkids remember him as the person who could and would build them anything they wanted or needed, whether it be a multi-room condo for a tortoise or a customized closet that would hold all of the shoes. He was the risk-taker that would drive the boat so fast that all of them would be hanging onto the tube for their dear lives, and the patient grandpa that took all of them on trips to Niagara Falls, the "UP," and Kings Island. They also remember him as someone who was "always listening, and not always talking; someone who had a quiet and peaceful presence and was very patient."

Jim was also a loving and fun uncle. Nephews and nieces describe Jim as the one who would dress up as Santa Claus and come to the house bringing a red velvet Santa bag filled with Dalmatian puppies; the uncle who would build a sound studio for his nephew who suffered from Cystic Fibrosis so when he came home after his double lung transplant he would be able to pursue his passion of making and recording music; the uncle who would give his niece a t-shirt naming her as "his little cheerleader"; and from his nephew: "He was and still is one of the best coaches to come out of St. Francis. A lot that I know about sports, coaching and life, I've learned from Uncle Jim."

As a second career, Jim brought his skills to bear for Britten Media, a successful local company started by some of his former high school players. Jim worked in the mechanical department developing lifts and lighting systems. Carolyn also joined the Britten team in the sales department, and the two of them spent many happy years working and socializing with the many good friends they met there.

Jim is predeceased by his wife, Carolyn, his daughter, Kristin, his parents, best friend and brother-in-law, Don Ludka, brother-in-law, Larry Anderson and nephew, Patrick Carroll.

He is survived by his sons, Michael and Scott; son-in-law, Irvin, his siblings; Kay Anderson, Jean Ludka, MaryAnn (Pat) Dutcher, Tom (Diane) Carroll and Pat (Beckie) Carroll, grandchildren Gunnar, Savannah, Logan, Ashton, and Peyton Carroll and great-granddaughter Frankie; 20 first and second cousins; 50 nieces and nephews, and several grand nieces and grand nephews.

Jim's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at French Manor Terra, and especially Kelly Corning, for her loving care of Jim until the very end.

Friends are welcome to visit with Jim's family from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 19, 2023 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth St., Traverse City, Michigan 49684. The family will pray the Rosary at 8:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m., with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, November 20, 2023 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 1025 S. Union St., Traverse City, Michigan 49684. Rev. Kenneth Stachnik will officiate. Rite of Committal will follow in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial donation to, the St. Francis High School Football Program, 123 E. Eleventh St., Traverse City, Michigan 49684, attention Athletics.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Jim's family at his tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .