James Hamilton Carroll, Sr.

James Hamilton Carroll was born on a hot July day in Rockville, Maryland in 1921. His parents, Louis Deaserius Carroll and Rachel Emma Carroll were delighted at the birth of their only son. From a young age, they taught little James, or 'Buddy' as his friends called him, a strong work ethic, thriftiness, loyalty to family and a love for music. He and his dad would often walk from Rockville to Derwood to help James' aged grandmother.

After he graduated from high school, James attended Princess Anne College on the eastern shore of Maryland. James was well on his way to receiving a degree, when his plans were interrupted. The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, and James was drafted into the United States Army at age 21

In many ways, this experience shaped his life. He quickly rose to the rank of Sergeant and was in charge of his own platoon. At one point the Company Commander became very ill and put James in charge of the entire island, passing over officers of higher rank. At one point, James was separated from his men and pinned down by enemy fire. He had no real cover and the shots were getting close. Out of nowhere an American tank appeared. James directed it where to shoot. His life was saved, and he had no memory of the tank ever leaving. There were no tracks in the sand.Years later James told his children, "I know that was an angel." By the grace of God, James brought every single man under his command home.

Upon returning to the states, James met the love of his life, Dorothy Lee Thomas. They were married and had three children - Beverly Lucille Carroll, James Hamilton Carroll, Jr., and Dionne Gennell Carroll. James and Dorothy were married for forty-three years. Dorothy and Beverly have preceded James into eternity. James never remarried.

James was employed by the U.S. Department of the Navy until his retirement. He was a very dedicated and faithful member of Twinbrook Community Church and before that Amaranth Fellowship, from 1995 until his death. James loved to serve. For many years as Head Usher he greeted people at the door with a smile, a joke, a handshake or a hug.

James was and is eternally a man of the Logos, the Bible. He often urged those he counseled to give their lives to Jesus Christ so that they would be ready to meet Him in the air.

Below is one of his favorite Scripture passages:

"Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruption shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, 'Death is swallowed up in victory"' (1 Corinthians 15:51-54).

We love you, Daddy. We will meet you in the air!

Junior and Dionne

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