Carroll Fenton Craft

Carroll was born in Lowell, Massachusetts to the late Carroll Freeman and Grace Fenton Craft. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Craft. He is survived by his brother, Steven Craft of Maine, and late wife, Stella; daughter, Sarah, son-in-law, Jeff, and granddaughters Adelynn and Mataya Woodard. Carroll grew up in Lowell, Massachusetts, beginning piano lessons at a young age and learning to play the organ. He became the organist for his church at age 15, while attending Lowell High School. Carroll worked at Massachusetts General Hospital while attending nursing school and university. He earned his RN and worked as a surgical nurse and operating room supervisor. The war was brewing, so he joined the National Guard while attending Northeastern University in Boston, where he earned a degree in biology and a minor in chemistry. Upon completion of his degree, he served in the 39th Signal Battalion of the Army and was stationed in Vietnam for one year (1963-1964). He was then stationed in Fort Gordon, Georgia, where he developed a taste for sweet iced tea and a love for the country life. He served as an organist for the Saint Mark Methodist Church in Augusta, Georgia. He earned the rank of Captain. After his time in the Army was served, he returned to Northeastern University in Boston to earn a master's in accounting. He married Joyce Etta Merrifield and worked as a CPA for an accounting firm for three years. They had a daughter, Sarah Lynn. Carroll missed management and longed for a country lifestyle, so he found employment at Xavier Hospital in Dubuque, Iowa as supervisor over nursing, living in the vast country where his wife would often report "the nearest neighbor isn't for miles!" Carroll then transferred to St. John's Hospital in Tulsa where he worked as Nursing Supervisor and eventually as the Chief Financial Officer. The family lived in Inola, Okahoma, living on 10 acres, raising Aberdeen Angus cows, chickens, vegetables, and kept bees. Carroll's love for learning never stopped, even attending Harvard University Business School's Advanced Management Program for senior executives. Over the years, he continued serving as organist and choir director at several churches in Claremore, Pryor and Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1991, Carroll earned the Archbishop's Certificate in Church Music from the Royal College of Church Music after three years of in-depth research. He was one of 13 musicians in the world, and the only American, awarded the archbishop's certificate that year. Carroll was instrumental in the installation of a one-of-a kind 1894 mechanical pipe organ built by the Moller Organ Company at All Saints Anglican Church in Tulsa, where he was the organist and choirmaster at the time. He loved playing that organ! He retired from All Saints at age 77 after 62 years of being a church organist. After retiring from 32 years working at St. John's Health System, Carroll enjoyed studying French, both at university and through a tutor, attending historical organ tours around the world, and traveling. Even as his health declined, he continued to be a voracious reader, attending all the various symphonies, operas, Broadway musicals, and informative lectures. He enjoyed eating Thai food with his family, naps with his dog, listening to NPR, attending his grandchildren's musical events, watching PBS, and keeping up-to-date with current events. He never stopped learning. Respecting Carroll's wishes, the family will hold a private service, and he will then be buried in Sanford, Maine with his wife, Joyce. An organ recital will be held in his memory at a to be determined date. Donations can be made in Carroll's memory to The Organ Historical Society, 330 North Spring Mill Road, Villanova, PA 19085. Correspondence to the family can be sent to Sarah Woodard, 5895 S. Hudson Place, Tulsa, OK 74135. Moore Funeral Home - Southlawn Chapel 918-663-2233

Carroll Fenton Craft

March 2, 1936 - May 15, 2018