Mr. LeRoy N. "Roy" Carrick, Sr., 99, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 3:39 pm at Elkhart General Hospital.

He was born in Elkhart on December 11, 1924 to the late Nubern and Gladys (Galbreath) Carrick, Sr. On February 1, 1947, he married Ruth V. (Vaughn) in Elkhart. She passed away in 2007.

Surviving Roy is a daughter, Patricia (Sam) Maio of Elkhart and a daughter in law, Anita Carrick, also of Elkhart; brother Leighton (Irene) Carrick of Wakarusa; six grandchildren, five great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by a host of loving extended family, friends, neighbors and his two dogs Mickey and Sadie.

Preceding Roy in death along with his parents and wife are his son, LeRoy N. Carrick, Jr., daughter Wilma Jane Willis, brothers Kenneth and Bill Carrick, sisters June Metzger and Irene Carter, and granddaughter Rachel "Shelly" Carrick.

Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart will host Roy's homegoing service on Saturday, December 23, 2023 beginning with a gathering of friends and family at 10:00 am followed by a funeral service beginning at 12 noon. Pastor Vern (Bud) Granger, Jr. will officiate and burial will follow in Prairie Street Cemetery. Graveside Military Honors will be rendered by members of the US Army Funeral Honor Guard, the Elkhart Veteran's Honor Guard, and the Northern Indiana Patriot Guard, who will also stand watch at the funeral home.

Roy worked as a traffic manager (dispatcher) for Chemcraft in Elkhart for many years, retiring in 1990. He went on to work for Harold Zeigler Ford as a transport driver for many more years. But prior to that, he served honorably in Germany as a squad leader with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division during the final years of WWII, then afterwards as part of the Occupational Security Forces.

He attended seminary and became a licensed, ordained minister who enjoyed visiting and ministering to all of the nursing home residents throughout the area. He went on to serve as Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon and Board Member at the Osolo Missionary Church under the pastoring of the late Reverends Dale Turner and Vern Granger, Sr. He also spent time helping with the Bristol Missionary Church as well and enjoyed working hand in hand with area ministers and catering to the children of the church, whom he loved dearly.

Roy also loved to travel, and as Johnny Cash would sing it, "he's been everywhere, man." In fact, Roy has made it to each of the 50 United States EXCEPT for Alaska, which is still a pretty tall accomplishment. He always loved to stay busy and active, and enjoyed woodworking, tending to his yard and fishing. He was an avid antique car, motorcycle and truck enthusiast and was a life member of Goshen VFW 985 and also a member of American Legion Post 777. He was an avid Notre Dame football fan, and enjoyed watching the Cubbies play baseball.

Roy will be best remembered as a self-made man, loving father and husband, devout Christian, humble servant to his Lord and faithful, unwavering patriot.

Memorial donations in Roy's name may be given to the Cancer Services of Elkhart County, or to the charity of one's choice.

Cancer Resources for Elkhart County
23971 US Highway 33, Elkhart IN 46517
Tel: 1-574-875-5158
Email: info@elkhartcancer.org
Web: https://elkhartcancer.org/support-cancer-patients-donate/

Charity of One's Choice