Carroll Allen Mendenhall
Sept. 22, 1939 – Aug. 9, 2017
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Carroll passed away peacefully at the age of 77 from complications following a recent stroke.
Born on Sept. 22, 1939, in Upper Lake, Calif., to parents Mark and Hilda Mendenhall.
He was born on the family ranch in the same home he resided in upon his passing on Aug. 9, 2017.
As a descendant of Upper Lake pioneers; Carroll was very proud of his heritage. He grew up on the family ranch and dairy where he acquired his love of animals and learned about work ethics and the family bond.
Carroll went to school in Upper Lake School District and was a 1957 graduate of Upper Lake High School.
In 1961 Carroll enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served his country with honor and received an honorable discharge in 1967.
Immediately upon his return home, he was needed to manage the family ranch/dairy, as his father had suffered a heart attack and was unable to work.
After his father recovered, Carroll went on to work at various jobs including the Mendenhall Lake County cannery, truck driving for Lake County businesses and a bus driver for Upper Lake School District.
In 1969 Carroll met the “love of his life,” Rosemary (Rigo) Mendenhall. They married on Jan. 16, 1970 (married 47 years)!
In 1974 their family was growing larger so they decided to open their own business, C & R Body Shop, which became a successful business for over 20 years.
At the same time, they became foster care parents and provided loving care to countless children in Lake County.
Carroll was the life of the party! With his gift of gab, love of people and animals, and a heart of gold, he accumulated a legion of friends throughout his lifetime! Add to that; plenty of mischief and a great sense of humor.
Carroll will be missed but not forgotten by all who knew and loved him!
Some of his favorite things in life were his family and friends, passion for cars, oldies music from the 50s and 60s, attending livestock auctions, cruising his 1957 Chevy Bel-Air, quad rides with his grandkids, a good barbecue get-together, The Price is Right and, of course, “Happy Hour”!
Carroll was preceded in death by his parents, Mark and Hilda B. Mendenhall, and infant daughter, Hilda Loraine Mendenhall.
He is survived by; his loving wife of 47 years, Rosemary Mendenhall; his children, Marlene Jurkovich (Mike), Veronica Cruz (Vincent), Sheree Dawson (Rich), Margee Waters (Sean), Carroll Mark Mendenhall (Marcie) and Warren Allen Mendenhall (Sabrina); 21 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Diane Fridley (John); nephews, Paul and Daniel Fridley; and many cousins, foster kids and legions of loving friends!
A celebration of Carroll’s life for family and friends will be held on Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Mendenhall Ranch, 3225 W. Highway 20, Upper Lake, starting at 1 p.m.
Bring your appetites and stories as we’ll be having a whole hog barbecue, just the way “Pops” liked it! We recommend B.Y.O.B. and a lawn chair.
The Lake County Military Funeral Honors Team and the U.S. Navy will be performing military honors for Carroll’s service to our country.
If inclined, donations can be made in Carroll’s honor to a local chapter of Hospice, FFA, 4-H, veterans association or a charity of your own choice.
Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.
