(SitNews) - Carroll George Fader, former long-time Ketchikan resident, Alaska legislator, educator and business owner, passed away peacefully after a long, courageous battle with cancer on October 14th at Sitka Community Hospital in Sitka, Alaska.  He was 88.

Carroll was born May 5, 1923, in Seattle, Washington, the son of George J. and Vivian Fader.  He attended local schools in the Seattle area. 

Carroll enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in 1942 and was called to active duty during World War II on February 21, 1943.  After completing boot camp in St. Augustine, FL. and Savannah, GA., Carroll went on to complete quartermaster training in Manhattan Beach, NY, port duties in South Carolina, California and Washington.  Carroll was stationed on the U.S.S. Carson City (PF-50) and the Columbia Lightship #93.  During his time on the Carson City he participated in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, worked New Guinea area, Philippine Liberation and ultimately weather patrol in the North Pacific. Carroll received an honorable discharge from the US Coast Guard on May 18, 1946.

Carroll’s long passion and career in education and public service began after receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Arts in 1950, a Bachelor of Education in 1951 and a Masters of Education in 1958; all from Washington State University. 

Moving his young family from Pullman, Washington to Ketchikan in 1951, Carroll’s career in education began teaching industrial arts in the Old Main School. Carroll touched many with his passion and tireless advocacy for vocational education in the State of Alaska.  Carroll spoke proudly of the time when he applied to the Federal government and was awarded a $300,000 grant.  The grant was used to develop the Ketchikan Sea Ed project, a maritime and fisheries program for high school students.  Many of his students went on to careers with the U.S. Navy, Alaska Marine Highway, Alaska Sea Pilot’s Association, airline captains, air taxi operators and local business owners.

Carroll is fondly remembered by many former students in Ketchikan and was often stopped on the street or in a restaurant by someone with comments about how they really enjoyed him as a teacher, counselor and administrator.

After serving as Representative, Carroll went to work for the Best Western Landing transporting its guests around town.  While at the Landing, he also worked weekends for Grey Line Alaska during the summer tourist season and ultimately working for them full time driving the handicapped bus.  Carroll loved the opportunity to tell visitors about Ketchikan and the community.  Carroll was also busy during those years transporting his grandson Matthew back and forth between Point Higgins School and town.  He found his time with Matthew rewarding and a chance to still be a “teacher”……as Matthew said…. “Grandpa knows everything!” Carroll enjoyed reading and was an avid toy train collector.

Carroll always remained active in the communities he lived serving on various non-profit boards, commissions, and other organizations including Alaska Municipal Bond Bank Board of Directors (1979-1982), Alaska Municipal League (1975-1984), Governors Advisory Board for Vocational Education (1969-1979), Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce, Ketchikan Visitors Bureau, and Sitka Community Hospital Board of Directors. He was an active member of the Masons, most recently the Mt. Verstovia Masonic Lodge where he served as the Chaplain.  He was instrumental in the Mason’s program of rewarding third graders a bicycle that succeed academically, had good attendance and took an active part in their schools.  Carroll once said “It’s not a matter of “I” or “me”, it’s “we” and “us””.

Survivors include his wife Linda, four daughters, Carol Sue (Busby) Rule, Sitka, AK., Becky (Fader) Collins, Mesa, AZ., Leanne (Fader) King, Kenai, AK., Sharon (Fader) Pippin, Anderson, MO. two sons, Paul Busby, Sitka AK., and John Busby, Lexington Park, MD. and daughter-in-law Jean Fader, Ketchikan.  He has 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

His father and mother preceded him in death. Other family members that preceded him in death included his sister Dorothy Ann and son Greg.

Private memorial services will be October 20.  Burial will be in Sitka National Cemetery where he and his father will be reunited.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, Ketchikan General Hospital Foundation, or First City Council on Cancer.

SitNews ©2011
Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska

Articles & photographs that appear in SitNews may be protected by copyright and may not be reprinted without written permission from and payment of any required fees to the proper sources.