George Earnest Carroll

George Carroll, 79, of Kingsport, TN, passed away peacefully, which was not his nature, on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

George was born in Harris County, Texas and was raised in the Fifth Ward. George had a long and interesting life that built the character he was full of. He spent part of his life in an orphanage before becoming an iron worker, and helped to build the Astrodome in Houston, TX. He eventually moved to Kingsport to build an airplane hangar for Eastman Kodak. He joined the Marine Corps as a young man and was deployed to Vietnam during the Tet Offensive. George served as a tank retriever commander in the First Marine Division, where he was awarded several medals, including a Good Conduct Medal, much to the surprise of his friends, family, and himself. He was also awarded a Purple Heart, which he said he didn't deserve, as there were many people who were hurt far worse than he was. After returning from Vietnam, he was hired by the Eastman Chemical Company. He also co-owned a small construction company that employed many friends and family members for a time. He retired from the Eastman in 2000 and went to work for Daisy at the ceramic shop until she let him retire from there, too. George was known far and wide for his tall tales and unforgettable personality.

George was preceded in death by his father, G.W. Carroll; mother, Mildred West; daughter, Jodi Carroll; brother, Douglas Carroll; and sister, Beverly Womack.

He is survived by his loving and very patient wife of 49 years, Daisy; children, Christy (Chad) of Chattanooga, TN, Shawn (Kandice) of Blountville, and Katie (Michael) of Snellville, GA; and seven grandchildren, Lilly, Ava, Abram, Chloe, Ben, Elliot, and Beckett. George loved all of his wonderful grandchildren and thought only two of them were a mess, lovingly. A sister, Deana (Jorge) Gutierrez of Texas, and a plethora of in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

Visitation will be Tuesday, October 27, 2026, from 5:00pm-7:00pm with a service to follow at Trinity Memorial in Kingsport. The burial will be held at the Mountain Home Cemetery in Johnson City, TN at 10:00am on October 28, 2026, with military honors.

Trinity Memorial Centers Funeral Home (423-723-8177) is honored to serve the family, online condolences can be shared with the family on our website at www.trinitymemorialcenters.com.