Jason Michael Carroll had his whole life ahead of him and what a great life it was.
He had a 9-year-old son he loved dearly. He had a job he enjoyed and worked tirelessly at. And he had just purchased a new home in Metamora Township.
Sadly, for Carroll, who graduated from Oxford High School in 2000, this fantastic life was cut short on Feb. 5 when he died in a car crash on Barber Rd., north of East Davison Lake Rd., in Metamora. He was 31 years old.
‘He always had a smile on his face,? recalled his mother Janet Carroll. ‘He was very polite (and) kind. Nobody had anything bad to say about him.
‘He was never confrontational with anybody. He was just always really nice. He always said excuse me, please and thank you.?
Carroll, who lived in Oxford Village, but was in the process of moving to Metamora, was a union carpenter by trade, which left him little time for anything else besides spending time with the family he loved.
‘He’d work 14 hours a day. He was a very hard worker, dedicated, never missed work,? Janet said. ‘He was a scaffold builder. He did jobs that nobody else would do, (working) 270 feet in the air. He would do more than most.?
He worked on some big projects including expansions at the Marathon Petroleum Company’s oil refinery and Cobo Center, both located in Detroit.
In addition to his strong work ethic, Carroll’s co-workers enjoyed his sense of humor.
‘He always had that little grin on his face and he liked to tell jokes,? Janet said.
The pride and joy of Carroll’s life was his son, Jacob Michael.
‘That’s why he bought the house in Metamora. It had 5 acres (for him and his son) to ride dirt bikes and snowmobiles out there,? Janet said. ?(Jacob) is the reason why he did everything that he did. He really provided very well for our grandson.?
Even though he was divorced, he maintained a good relationship with his ex-wife and they never let the end of their marriage interfere with their role as parents. Janet said Jason spent time with his son ‘every single weekend.?
‘He just wanted what was best for Jacob,? she said.
Janet was touched by how many people showed up to the celebration of her son’s life held Saturday, Feb. 9 at Oxford American Legion Post 108.
‘I didn’t realize how many lives our son touched,? she said. ‘There were about 350 people at the Legion (hall).?
‘He was a wonderful kid. His dad and I are so proud of him,? Janet added. ‘We love him so much. This is just killing us. Nobody should have to go through this.?
Carroll is survived by his son Jacob Michael; parents Ted and Janet Carroll; sister Danielle; grandmothers Sue Carroll and Claribel Cochran; his former wife Becky; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. He’s preceded in death by grandfathers Henry Carroll and Walter Cochran.
Memorial contributions for Jacob’s future educational expenses are appreciated. They can be made to Janet.
‘My son really wanted him to go to college,? she said. ‘He had already been saving for that.?
Arrangements were handled by Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors Bossardet Chapel in Oxford.