Richard Douglas Carroll

Richard Douglas Carroll, 83, passed away July 5, 2011, in Moline, IL, from complications following surgery. Born November 27, 1928, he was the second son of Farr and Audrey Carroll of Aledo, IL. "Dick" graduated from Aledo High School in 1946, one year after earning his pilot's license. On June 6, 1948, he married Shirley Jean Konnie, also of Aledo. He was the first operator of the Mercer County Airport after its opening in 1954. In 1956, he formed Crop Care by Air, an agricultural aviation business he ran from the Mercer County Airport until 1975, when he moved the operation to Alta Vista, KS. During the 1960's and 1970's, Mr Carroll was active in the Illinois Aerial Applicators' Association, and was a founding father of the National Agricultural Aviation Association, having served as President and member of the Board of Directors of both organizations. In addition to working as a consultant to the Illinois Department of Agriculture during this period, he was also the head instructor and head of staff of the Agricultural School of Aviation at the University of Ohio, at Columbus, in 1964. After retiring from the spraying business in the mid-1990's, Dick and Shirley became avid collectors and restorers of Massey-Harris tractors and farm equipment. Since 1977, Dick and Shirley (until hr death in 2002) divided their time between their farm in Alta Vista, KS and their winter home in LaBelle, FL. Later, in Davenport, IA, he married Verna Trevor of Moline, IL. He was a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Moline, the Moline Masonic Lodge AF & AM; and the KAABA Shrine in Davenport, In addition to his wife, Verna, Mr Carroll is survived by his brothers: Robert Carroll of Aledo, IL, and Don Carroll of Atlanta, GA; son Steve Carroll of Bradenton, FL; daughter Cody Duncan of Oxnard, CA; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife, Shirley, he was preceded in death by his parents, and a son, William. Graveside services for family members were held at the Sugar Grove Cemetery in Aledo, where his first wife and son are resting.

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