Charley Robert Carroll

Charley Robert Carroll, 41, beloved son, father and best friend, died on Monday, August 29, 2022, at his home in Fort Collins. Charley was born on January 8, 1981.

Charley grew up in Fort Collins. Charley had a special bond to his mother, Carol Carroll, and was best friends with his father, Keven, whom he worked for, as well, at CSU. He would call them daily, sometimes even multiple times throughout the day to talk about work, life, or the latest drama. Charley and the other grandchildren spent many spring and summer Saturdays with their grandparents, Tony & Rose. They learned to fish, drive the boat, and occasionally mooned the nearest passerby.

Charley met his wife, Lana Carroll (Speaker), at the CSU Ingersoll Kitchen. They were both working their shifts for different departments. He caught her checking him out through the window of the dishwashing area through the reflection of his welding helmet. Lana would purposely break the dishwasher just for Charley to show up to fix it, even though she knew how to fix it. He finally asked her on a date and off they went to Carrabba's. They had a great time, but Lana revealed she was still dating somebody else. Charley insisted they go on one more date to swoon her over, which she allowed, but "just as friends". That coffee date swayed her decision to be with Charley and at the end of it he looked at her, smiling and laughing, and said "just as friends, huh"? They were married on June 24, 2006.

Charley was very nervous to bring children into this world, however, together they had two wonderful children, Shyla and Aurelius. His children were everything to him. Shyla was a daddy's girl. She inherited his, "WTF are you looking at?" and his research abilities, hoping to someday own her dad's favorite birds, love birds. Aurelius was his little hunting video game buddy and protector. Aurelius always looked out for him when they would play so that the mountain lion wouldn't get his character. They lived in Fort Collins in a very loving home with their family dog, Jazzy.

Charley had a great, but dry sense of humor. He was the master of farting and found much laughter in people's response to them. He also loved feeding on peoples' fears and weaknesses only to prank them for his own enjoyment. One time he aggravated a giant spider while working with Andrew under a mobile home, knowing Andrew was terrified of them, causing Andrew to shake up and freak out. He loved the outdoors and was avid in camping, hunting (although sobbing the first time an animal was killed in front of him), and fishing. Charley enjoyed hockey and football, professional or college and could name schools, positions, and accolades for each individual player; this is where his research abilities excelled.

Charley's devotion to his family was unmatched. The bond with his brother-in-law, Andrew Aragon, no one could have ever imagined forming. When Andrew first started dating Charley's sister, Christen, Charley wanted nothing to do with him. For two years, Charley pretended Andrew was invisible. He didn't trust him whatsoever. One night, when Andrew stayed at the house, Charley locked all the doors in the house and Andrew in the basement, for he thought Andrew would steal something. Finally, one day out the blue, Charley approached Andrew with, "What's going on man, how are you? You like fishing"? From that moment on, the endless memories flooded their brotherhood and friendship, from fishing, shooting pool, raising families, and working together, to having each other try their "special" liquors, which Charley would always proudly present his beloved Captain Morgan Private Stock. One of Charley's happiest moments stemmed from Andrew being a manager at a Lowe's in Louisiana when he, Christen, Charley, and Lana all lived there. One of Andrew's co-managers ran the headsets for the New Orleans Saints, which was one of Charley's favorite teams. He was able to hook them up with press box seats and access to the Drew Breeze suite. They even got to go on the field at the end of the game creating the most opportune photo moment for Charley as he laid down on the center of the field.

Charley's devotion to his family and community stands out as one of his biggest accomplishments. Charley wasn't a hugger, but the addition of his sister-in-law, Chelsea, broke his disklike of hugging by holding him down and hugging him until she had her fill. Cousins, Dan, Karma and Charley were in Nebraska and befriended a homeless man. He then told the man to come inside and eat $20 worth of Taco Inn food with them.

Charley's favorite holiday was Christmas. He always began the countdown in July. He made Lana put the tree up in November every year and would never allow for it come down until after his birthday in January. Charley's favorite thing about Christmas was the tradition of family being together. He also loved wrapping each present separately so that the children saw just how many gifts they had. This year, they celebrated it on July 25th for him.

Charley enjoyed BBQing and having friends and family gather to tell stories, laugh, and of course, "Did you watch this video?"

He loved everything he did while employed at CSU. Two of his proudest working moments were setting the rams in front of the CSU stadium and the other set in front of the Prospect and College Avenue Health Center.

When diagnosed with cancer, Charley made a bucket list of things he wanted to do to make memories. Some of these included a trip to Great Wolf Lodge with the kids and a trip to Las Vegas to celebrate Charley and Lana's 16th wedding anniversary. In addition to these trips he would often schedule every other Friday to spend with his dad, Keven, and brother Sean. No matter the request, big or small, Sean was there for it all. Sean helped to plan and organize each adventure, taking time off from work, stopping by for his lunch break, and coming to visit every Saturday. While in Vegas, Sean was in charge of the "gambling" portion of the trip. Charley's game of choice is roulette and at one point Sean turned his back for 30 seconds. Charley put $400 down on black, Sean is telling him to cancel the bet. Charley just smiled at him, and then it hit black. Charley doubled his money, cashed out, said "I'm done", and went to the bar to watch the Avs play. That was true Charley style.

Charley is survived by his wife, Lana Carroll, his two children, Shyla and Aurelius; his mother and father, Carol and Keven Carroll; grandmother, Rosemarie Aberle; his siblings, Sean (Chelsea) Carroll, Christen (Andrew) Aragon, Shawna (Jared) Fowkes, Jana (Chi) Cassarubias, Tiffany Rosengrant, and Lindsay Griffin; his cousins, Daniel Aberle, Karma Drohman, Erin and Scott Foley, Tommy and Lindsey Chamberlain; his nieces and nephews, Jareth Fowkes, 17, Briella Carroll, 16, Morgan Aragon, 16, Logan Carroll, 14, Natalie Casarubias, 14, Amia Fowkes, 13, Blake Aragon, 13, Tahlia Fowkes, 10, Israel Cassarubias, 8, Drew Aragon, 7, Tamzin Welzig, 5, Ezekial Cassarubias, 3, Phoenix Carroll, 2; and his dear friends, Aaron Pettigrew, and Tony Lederhos. Charley was preceded in death by Anton Aberle, Roberta Aberle, Brenda Aberle, Debbie Drohman, Jean Carroll, Tom Carroll, and Jedd Carroll.

Charley was a kind, humorous, and incredible man, who will be dearly missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held to send Charley off in true Charley fashion. Date, time, and location to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, any donations may be made to the family, in care of Goes Funeral Care (3665 Canal Drive, Suite E, Fort Collins, CO 80525) who will forward along to Lana, Shyla, and Aurelius.