Frank O'Carroll

Francis (Frank) Xavier O’Carroll passed away in his home, surrounded by family, on May 15, 2018. Frank was born, along with his twin brother Paddy, on April 5, 1937 to Jack (John Patrick) and Mona (Carey) O’Carroll in Dublin, Ireland. Frank grew up with five brothers and one sister on a farm in Drumshanbo in County Leitrim.

At the age of 12, Frank and Paddy were granted scholarships to St. Mels College in Longford where they studied for 5 years before attending University College Dublin. After university, Frank worked in Grannard, County Longford and also in Cavan. In 1967 while in Cavan, he met Mary Josephine Moriarty. They later married in the summer of 1968 at the Church of the Holy Name in Dublin and in the same year moved to the United States to finish Frank’s doctoral studies in Agricultural Economics at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. On July 7, 1969, they welcomed their only son, John Francis. Upon the completion of his doctorate in 1977, the family moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma where Frank had a career in academia at Oklahoma State University. Frank and Mary shared companionship with a small group of friends, who gathered each week for tennis and coffee. He was also active with Friends of the Library. After Mary’s passing in 1993, Frank enjoyed late night conversations with his dear friends on politics, economics, and Irish history.

In 1998, Frank moved to Lima, Peru to address the estate of his only sister, Monica. While in Peru he met Jean Nicoll Laca. Frank and Jean wed on May 6, 2005 in Dallas, Texas. Jean added immeasurable joy to Frank’s life. The last 15 years, Frank divided his time between Lima, Peru and Frisco, Texas. When in Texas, he enjoyed watching his granddaughters, Makenna and Malley, grow. At each dinner with them, he never failed to mention that the potato came from Peru not Ireland. Summer evenings were spent with his son, John, swimming and talking all things financial. He always left a lasting impression and had an interesting take on everything. In Peru, the Frank and Jean shared a full life, where they attended parties with dignitaries, danced with friends and enjoyed the finest of food. They were known for their hospitality and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with their Irish community.

Frank loved gardening and delighted in experiencing the beauty of gardens, throughout his full life. His family in Ireland enjoyed reading a personalized letter from him every Christmas. He cherished the gift of travel and learning about others and their cultures. He never failed to ask someone he met where their family came from and about their heritage. He was truly fascinated with history and never stopped learning and encouraging those around him to keep learning. Even in his last days he was sharing a poem about his homeland of Ireland.

Irish have found themselves welcome all over the world due to the same quality that makes Ireland itself a welcoming place.  Frank had these traits.  A tall, good looking, easy-going boy and man, interested in everything, friendly, curious and generous, he would talk with strangers and quickly find they knew people in common or had similar interests.  He managed to laugh as he talked.  Who could resist that?  Frank was multi-lingual, speaking fluent English, Spanish, Gaelic, Greek, Latin, German and even dabbled in Portuguese, Italian, Arabic. Frank’s rigorous Irish Catholic school education and American Ph.D. advanced his love of books, passion for reading and an insatiable interest in the world around him. He had a special interest in the local County Leitrim history of his birthplace and the home of an ancestral branch.  Frank relished the Irish language and its ancient connections with English and Latin. The expressions in the language that revealed the Irish character, appealed to his soul.

When he had a question and asked a friend or stranger he could easily spend the afternoon leisurely working toward an answer.  A companion traveling Ireland with Frank might think they were lost.  But Frank was never lost.  He knew the reality of the Irish expression “You can’t get there from here.”  Along the road someone would be found to point the way and perhaps offer some tea or direct him to a cèilidh, a music-dance social.  The most ordinary of Irish surprise people with their depth of knowledge, both written and oral. Frank shared his vast knowledge so effortlessly and humbly it naturally drew people to him. His homes were full of books and while books were wonderful, people were yet more so. Frank’s beautiful soul enveloped and nurtured all those who had the grand privilege of knowing him. A conversation with Frank made you a kinder, more creative, compassionate and positive person; you always came away with an increased hope in the goodness of humanity.

Frank is survived by his wife, Jean; brother, George of Bunratty, Ireland; his son, John, and wife, Jennifer; his daughters by marriage, Illanie and Eileen; and grandchildren; Makenna, Malley, Steven, Sebastian, Alice, and Isabelle; sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Mary; and twin brother, Paddy; brothers Tom, Jim, and Gerry; and only sister Monica.

There will be a celebration of Frank’s life at his home. Contact the family for details. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to your local Friends of the Library or American Cancer Society.