Carroll Eugene Stroman

OBITUARY

Cate-Spencer & Trent Funeral Home

403 Locust, Sweetwater TX 79556

Carroll Eugene Stroman, age 86, of Sweetwater, Texas, passed away on Friday, September 9, 2016 at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, Texas.

As per his wishes, his body will be cremated.  A memorial service will be held 3:00 P.M., Saturday, September 17, 2016 at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Kary Fry officiating.  Arrangements are under the direction of Cate-Spencer & Trent Funeral Home.

Carroll was born on April 28, 1930 in Hylton, Texas to Roy and Grace (Campbell) Stroman.  He had been a resident of Sweetwater for over fifty years.  He married the love of his life Dorothy Farley on April 3, 1953 in Sweetwater, Texas.  He was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church in Sweetwater where he served as an Elder.

Carroll was a U.S. Air Force veteran serving in Japan during the Korean War.  After his service, Carroll lived in Austin, Texas from 1953 to 1978.  In Austin, Carroll and Dorothy raised their four children while Carroll attended the University of Texas and graduated with a B.S. in Geology.  Carroll continued to be an avid Texas Longhorn fan throughout his life.  He then worked for the State of Texas Land Office for six years.  His love and compassion for people with special needs led him to work with Goodwill Industries in Austin where he became the Executive Director for eleven years.

Carroll, Dorothy and children then moved west living in San Angelo, Blackwell, and then Sweetwater.  Throughout this chapter in life, Carroll continued to work on different programs and projects to develop business opportunities in which to teach and employ people with special needs.  In 1979, Carroll and Dorothy opened the first private residential care facility in the State of Texas for individuals with special needs in Sweetwater.  This program was owned and operated by Carroll and Dorothy from 1979 until 2001.  During that time it grew to several different training and employment opportunities for these residents.  Later in life Carroll earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Stroman of Sweetwater, Texas and four children; Brent Stroman and Cindi of Waco, Texas; Scott Stroman and Julie of Sweetwater, Texas; Pam Stroman and Cecile of Austin, Texas; Kirk Stroman of Sweetwater, Texas; five grandchildren: Stephanie and Nick Depauw of Boston, Mass. and Kyle Stroman of Austin, Texas; Brett Stroman and Tana of Midland, Texas, Aaron Stroman and Becky of Lubbock, Texas, and Cory Stroman and Ashley of Sweetwater, Texas; four great grandchildren and one on the way; his brother Pat Stroman and Patricia of Waco, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews; and dear friends Michael and Dustin Hammit and their family of Sweetwater, Texas.  Carroll was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Grace Stroman of Sweetwater.

Carroll was a wise, quiet and humble man with a sophisticated sense of humor who served the Lord through his love of those around him and his work to help those with needs.  His request was that in lieu of flowers, gifts and donations be given to the First Presbyterian Church of Sweetwater, 1311 McCaulley St., Sweetwater, Texas, 79556; and Rescue the Animals, SPCA, 4620 N. First Street, Abilene, Texas 79603.