Dennis Michael Carroll

Born in Moses Lake, Washington, Dennis entered the world in a year of historic milestones—though Sir Edmund Hillary’s climb of Mount Everest pushed his birth announcement off the front page. This moment, oddly enough, set the stage for his lifelong distaste for Hillary Clinton, who was later named after the famed climber.

Dennis’s early curiosity about space was evident when NASA was founded in 1958. At just six years old, he was eager to witness its opening ceremony, though his mother insisted he stay home. His fascination with space only grew, and in 1967, when the Lunar Orbiter 3 crash-landed on the far side of the moon, it ignited a lifetime of government skepticism.

Music and electronics captivated Dennis from an early age. In 1969, he was among the first to obtain a bootleg copy of Woodstock, fueling his deep love of music. A year later, Boeing's first commercial flight aboard the 747 sparked his passion for aviation, leading him to enlist in the United States Air Force.

On January 11, 1971, Dennis married the love of his life, Twyla Fisk. Together, they raised three sons and shared a life filled with love, laughter, and adventure. Following Twyla’s passing, Dennis sought to recreate that connection six times, though he never found a love quite like hers again.

Dennis’s cultural awareness remained sharp throughout his life. In 1972, the Watergate scandal deepened his mistrust of the government, convincing him that the country was doomed. However, by 1977, he found optimism in the banning of Red Dye #2 and, more notably, the release of Star Wars, which he regarded as the greatest movie franchise in history—a true "New Hope."

A fierce opponent of disco in the late 1970s, Dennis proudly spearheaded the Disco Sucks movement, saving countless people from what he deemed "awful music." His competitive streak extended beyond music—on January 29, 1980, he became the 27th person to solve the Rubik’s Cube, a feat he proudly celebrated.

Dennis had a front-row seat to history, witnessing the first space shuttle launch in 1981, the rise of MTV, and the arrival of CDs in Washington state in 1984. While mourning the Challenger disaster in 1986, he famously wondered, "Who said, ‘Let the woman drive?’” in his signature dry humor.

Throughout the ’90s, Dennis remained engaged with technology, purchasing the third copy of Nirvana’s Nevermind in 1991 and marveling at the images captured by the Hubble telescope. He retired from the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in 2000, correctly predicting that Y2K would be a joke.

The 2000s continued Dennis’s tradition of witnessing historic events. He received the 317th iPod sold in the U.S. in 2001, attended Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009, and felt vindicated when Avatar dethroned Titanic as the highest-grossing film of all time—having refused to watch Titanic, reasoning that “Why see a movie where you already know the ending?”

Dennis had strong convictions, from his skepticism of Mark McGwire’s record-breaking season in 1998 to his belief that Lance Armstrong was framed in 2013. Ever the forward-thinker, he amassed a fortune in Pokémon cards by 2016—only to lose them to four neighborhood children, all under 11 years old.

A lifelong supporter of the Chicago Cubs, Dennis proudly attended the first game of their historic 2016 World Series victory. He also had a hand in political history—despite celebrity endorsements for other candidates, he was convinced his own support helped propel Donald Trump to the presidency.

As the years went on, Dennis’s humor and interests never waned. By 2020, he was slowing down but remained deeply engaged, supporting Tiger King and hoping Donald Trump would pardon Joe Exotic. Although law enforcement once questioned him, there was no proof that Dennis was involved in the mysterious monoliths appearing across the U.S.

In 2023, Dennis encouraged Travis Kelce to date Taylor Swift, believing it would be fine to have a girlfriend wealthy enough to buy his football club. He later celebrated Trump’s re-election, purchasing commemorative shirts to mark the occasion.

In late 2024, Dennis fell and broke his hip, leading to a difficult two-month battle. But during his convalescence, he spoke to many about Jesus and His sacrifice, reaffirming his faith.

Dennis was preceded in death by his wife Twyla, his son Dennis Michael Carrol Jr., his parents, and his sister Vickie. He is survived by his sons, Jerimy and Dan Carroll, his wife Diana, and his brothers Alan, Tony, and Rocky Carroll, along with their families. His cherished friendships, particularly with his radio club companions, reflected his lifelong commitment to sharing knowledge and helping others.

On a personal note, Dennis was my best man and a lifelong friend who can never be replaced.

Dennis Carroll lived boldly, questioned deeply, and loved fiercely. His humor, intellect, and unwavering presence will be greatly missed.