Carroll Karkalits

Dr. Olin Carroll Karkalits, Jr., 96, of Lake Charles, LA passed away in his home at 2:03 AM on Monday, May 6, 2013 with his devoted wife by his side.

Dr. Karkalits was born May 31, 1916 in Pauls Valley, OK and received his Bachelor's of Science from Rice University and his Master's of Science and PhD from the University of Michigan, all in Chemical Engineering.

Dr. Karkalits was Assistant Director of Engineering and Manager of research at Petro-Tex Chemical Corp. He was also the manager of Economic Appraisal at the FMC Corporation and group leader for the Process Development at American Cyamamicl Company. He received 12 patents during his career.

After a distinguished career in industry, he served as the first Dean of College of Engineering and Technology at McNeese State University for thirty-four years, retiring in 2006. In 2008 he was named Dean and Professor Emeritus at McNeese State University. During his thirty-four years at MSU College of Engineering, the enrollment doubled. He established a college endowment fund and was a founder of the Lake Area Industries / McNeese Engineering Partnership (LAI/MEP) and served as an LAI/MEP Board member.

Dr. Karkalits was a Registered Professional Engineer in Louisiana and Texas and was elected Fellow of the American Scientific Affiliation and American Institute of Chemical Engineers. He was inducted into Phi Lambda Upsilon, Sigma Xi, Tau Beta Chi, Phi Kappa Phi, the American Society for Engineering Education, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Louisiana Engineering Society, and the National Society of Professional Engineers.

Dr. Karkalits loved the Lord, was a lifelong student of God's Word and a member of Trinity Baptist Church for over forty years. He taught Bible Study / Sunday School for over seventy years and helped lead numerous people to the Lord. He also served on the Board of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY from 1988 to 1998.

Dr. Karkalits is survived by his wife of over fifty-one years, Barbara Sue Robinson Karkalits; two daughters, Kay Karkalits Marcantel and husband Michael E. Marcantel and Karen Karkalits Litel and husband Trey Litel; and grandchildren, Sean Michael Marcantel, Collier Thomas Litel, Charles Monroe Litel, Mary Kathleen Marcantel, and Conrad Stone Litel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Olin Carroll Karkalits, Sr. and Mabel Patterson Karkalits; and brother, William Reeves Karky Karkalits.

His memorial service will be at 2:00 PM on Friday, May 10, 2013 at Trinity Baptist Church. Reverend Steve James will officiate. Private burial will be at Consolata Cemetery. Visitation will be at Johnson Funeral Home on Thursday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dr. Carroll Karkalits Memorial Engineering Scholarship through the McNeese Foundation, Box 91989, Lake Charles, LA 70609 or Trinity Baptist Church.