Firefighter Terry Wren Carroll, 51, was a six-year veteran of Coats-Grove Fire & Rescue, Inc. where he served as a volunteer firefighter, traffic controller and medical responder.
"He was on a medical call December 27 where he suffered a massive heart attack and he passed away January 7," said Deputy Chief Kevin Jernigan.
Carroll was the driver on a medical call for abdominal pain. A paramedic started care immediately after he was stricken. The firefighter was transported to Good Hope Hospital and later transferred to Duke Medical Center, where he passed away.
Carroll is survived by his wife Donna Gail Carroll, two grown children and four grandchildren.
"He was a truck driver by trade, and very dedicated to the community, serving the fire department and rescue squad," Jernigan said.
Jernigan said this is the first line of duty death for the department and possibly the first for the county. The 45-member combination department has 41 volunteers and four paid staff. They serve a population of 20,000 in a small town between Raleigh and Fayetteville.
Visitation will take place 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday January 10th at Rose & Graham Funeral Home, Coats, NC 27521. Funeral services will be held Saturday January 11th at 11 a.m. at Coats Baptist Church in Coats. Internment will follow at Bethal Baptist Cemetery.
The Terry Carroll Trust Fund has been established at First Citizens Bank in Coats. Anyone who would like to make a donation can contact First Citizens Bank at 897-7741 or send donations to The Terry Carroll Memorial Fund at First Citizens Bank, at 19 North McKinley St.in Coats, NC 27521.
