Carroll Young Rich, 91, passed away peacefully in Plano, Texas, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. Born in Arcadia, Louisiana, Carroll was an accomplished scholar and author. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from Louisiana Polytechnic Institute in Ruston, Louisiana, and went on to earn both his master's and doctorate degrees from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 1958, Carroll married Betty Ann Bowen of Cleburne, Texas. Carroll and Betty went on to have two daughters, Emily Carroll Rich and Ann Bowen Rich.

In 1959, Carroll accepted a full-time teaching position in the English department at North Texas State University (now UNT) in Denton, Texas. He loved teaching and was beloved by his students. As a professor, Carroll taught courses such as Old English, Beowulf, and Chaucer, and he regularly advised students in development of their master's theses and doctoral dissertations. Over the course of his career, some of his poems and articles appeared in literary and research periodicals. He was highly respected in the English department and built close and enduring friendships with his faculty peers. Carroll retired from North Texas in 1990 and lived in Denton until he moved to Plano in 2021.

Carroll was a kind and gentle man. He had a keen sense of humor and often a mischievous sparkle in his eye. Carroll was also an engaging storyteller. He frequently shared poignant memories of life in Louisiana and entertaining stories of his childhood antics. He loved his family, friends, and students, and he had a passion for travel and antiquing.

Survivors include Ann Rich Bacon of Plano, Texas, Michael Andrew Bacon of Plano, John Edward Bacon of Plano, Deborah Fournet of Baton Rouge, Laura Rich of Baton Rouge, Dan Bowen of Belton, Texas, Bobby Bowen of Cleburne, Becky Casinger of Cloudcroft, New Mexico, and many other treasured friends and family members. Carroll was preceded in death by Alvin Douglas Rich, Alice Lyons Rich, Joseph Alvin Rich, Betty Bowen Rich, and Emily Carroll Rich.

Private services are pending.