Carrol G. Droddy

Carrol Gene Droddy, 79, of Ottawa, KS, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, December 27th, 2019, surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 4th, 2020 at the First Christian Church, 1045 S. Hickory, Ottawa. A Masonic graveside service will follow at Highland Cemetery along with military honors. Carrol was born August 8th, 1940, in Call, TX, to Lexie and Vivian (Smith) Droddy. He graduated from Buna High School in Buna, TX, with the class of 1958. Following his graduation, he joined the United States Air Force where he served in Guam for 18 months. While he was stationed in Topeka, KS, in 1959, he was persuaded to go on a blind date where he met the love of his life. He was united in marriage to Imogene (Smith) Droddy on October 25th, 1959. They just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Following his time in the service, Carrol and Imy made their home in Ottawa, KS, where he was employed by the City of Ottawa as a lineman and electrician. Two days after his retirement in 1995 he began working at Our Own Hardware for two years and then went to work for Tans Am. He drove for Trans Am 13 years where he went nearly 2 million miles, accident-free and was never late delivering a load. Established in 1965, Carrol and Imy owned and operated Tauy Creek Sheep Farm, where they helped several young 4-H’ers for many decades. Carrol was involved with Franklin County 4-H for more than 50 years. He thoroughly enjoyed assisting local youth in their 4-H endeavors and served several terms on the Franklin County Fair Board. He was also a supporter and honorary member of the Central Heights FFA Chapter. He served as a football coach, softball coach and Boy Scout Master in the Franklin County community. Carrol was a member of the First Christian Church for more than 60 years where he taught Sunday School, served as an Elder and a Deacon. He also helped begin the first live nativity scene the church ever held; providing the livestock and roping his grandkids into being shepherds. Along with the nativity scene he was a founder of the quarterly Gospel Jam which continues today. He had a strong passion for helping others and did so proudly through his community involvement. He was a member of the American Legion, the Abdullah Shrine and the Ottawa Masonic Lodge No. 18 A.F. & A.M. (Ancient Free & Accepted Masons). He served as the Masonic Lodge Master two separate times and earned his 50-year Membership Honor in May 2018. He was honored to perform an abundant amount of graveside services for Masonic members through the years. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, ranching and golfing. He loved traveling to Texas for the winter and camping all over the United States with his wife. They were active members of the Night Crawlers Camping Club and Chippewa Good Sam’s Camping Club. There was never a night not spent watching his hero, John Wayne. His greatest joy had to be spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Carrol was an amazing storyteller, friend, husband, father and grandfather. He never knew a stranger and would strike up a friendly conversation with anyone. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lexie and Vivian (Smith) Droddy; son, James Droddy and daughter, Lexie Droddy-Mason; grandson, Cody Mason; sister, Tressea (Droddy) McClure and sister-in-law, Barbara Droddy. He is survived by his wife Imogene (Smith) Droddy. His brothers, Clarence Droddy of Simpsonville, SC and Charles Droddy and wife MaryDell of Kirbyville, TX. His grandchildren, Gail Droddy and companion Lucas Hinderliter of Ottawa; Dane Droddy and wife Brooke of Richmond, KS; Cathleen and husband Dustin Van Leiden of Ottawa; Grant and wife Desta Mason of Waverly, KS; Shelby Droddy of Overland Park; Casey Droddy of Manhattan, KS; and Austen Mason of Ottawa. Six great grandchildren, Emily Van Leiden, Hagen, Carsen, and Korben Droddy; Emali and Emersyn Mason; and Kenzli Slankard-Mason. Several nieces, nephews and cousins. The family suggests memorial contributions to First Christian Church or Good Shepherd Hospice c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.