Obituaries: C. Roscoe Carruth, Sabine Parish C-630 Source: Sabine Index, Many, La., Apr 26, 1979 Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck carlrad@earthlink.net ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** C. Roscoe Carruth (Photo) C. Roscoe Carruth, Mayor of Fisher, and Manager of the Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce, died at 3:20 p.m., on Tuesday, April 24, following a lengthy illness. He had been hospitalized at Fraser Hospital North for the past five weeks. He was 71. Funeral services will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Many on Thursday, April 26, at 10 a.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Ray R. Spiller, church pastor, and the Rev. Bobbi Cook. Burial will follow in Centuries Memorial Park in Shreveport, at 2 p.m. Services are under the direction of Warren Meadows Funeral Home. Survivors include his widow, Viola W. Carruth of Fisher; two daughters, Mrs. Raymond E. Walker of Shreveport, and Mrs. George S. Shea Jr of Annapolis, Maryland; two brothers, N. P. Carruth of Woodville, Tex., and J. P. Carruth of San Antonio, Tex.; and two grandchildren, Rendall Walker, a U.S. Army serviceman serving in Korea, and Ramona Lynn Walker of Shreveport. Born on Sept. 22, 1907, in Bunkie, Mr. Carruth spent his early childhood and adult years in Avoyeles Parish. He received his early schooling in Glenmora, and graduated from Bunkie High School in 1926. Following high school graduation, he attended college at Louisiana State University, and Texas A and M College. His major was chemical engineering. In 1928, Mr. Carruth moved to Port Arthur, Tex., and held various jobs. While in Port Arthur, he attended classes at South Park Junior College in Beaumont (now Lamar University). In 1929, he met and began a four year courtship with Viola Wistner. They were wed on Sept. ? 1933. In 1933, Mr. Carruth became an employee of Gulf Oil Corp. He worked in the Analytical Laboratory. Before long he was promoted to foreman of the laboratory, which was then involved in developing synthetic rubber during World War II. In 1945, the Carruths moved to Shreveport, where he and a partner formed Powercycle Center, a Cushman motorbike dealer. The new company specialized in motorbikes, lawn mowers, and garden equipment. Mr. Carruth was president of the company. While a Shreveport resident, Mr. Carruth was actively involved in the activities of the Rotary Club, and the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Noel Memorial Methodist Church. In July, 1965, the Carruths joined the staff of Hodges Gardens as a husband-wife public relations team. A great part of his work was forming outside contacts, and attending travel shows. Annually, he manned the Hodges Gardens exhibit, which publicized the El Camino Real in larger tourism shows in Chicago, Kansas City, Memphis, and Dallas. Mrs. Carruth served as Advertising and Publicity Director at the gardens. Mr. Carruth's expertise in photography made the job easier, and together, they encouraged thousands of people to tour the "Garden in the Forest". Serving as Staff Photographer at the Gardens, Mr. Carruth became known for his excellent work. Photographs have been published in "Great Trails of the West", "Gardens of the American South", and his wife's book, "Caddo: 1000". The book, in fact, was dedicated to Mr. Carruth. His beautiful photographs have also appeared on the covers of the Shreveport Magazine, Accent, South Central Bell's quarterly publication, Southern Living, and the Southern Natural Gas News Newspapers, and trade journals have also carried his photos. The Carruths first resided in Many, but became intrigued with the tiny sawmill town of Fisher. They purchased a home in the town, and settled into an active everyday life. Mr. Carruth discovered that others were interested in preserving the sawmill town, and he formed the Fisher Heritage Foundation, dedicated to it's historic preservation. Many hours of work were spent in preparation for preserving the town. Money making efforts, including a flea market, helped to finance the painting of the depot, which was eventually donated to the town by Kansas City Southern Railroad. In 1971, the Village of Fisher was incorporated, with Mr. Carruth appointed as an alderman by former Gov. John McKeithen. In 1973, he ran for Mayor and won. In May 1968, Mr. Carruth founded the Many Rotary Club, and was elected its first president. He has also served as President of the Sabine Shrine Club. Masonic work was important to Mr. Carruth. He was a member of Lodge No. 411, F and AM in Many. In Shreveport, he was one of the El Karubah Eagle Motor Corps. In 1969, when the Louisiana Outdoor Drama Association was organized, the Carruths were on hand. He has been on the board of LODA since it was founded. Mr. Carruth also held memberships in the Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce, and has served on the board of the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association. He was a member of the Many First United Methodist Church. Mr. Carruth was appointed Manager of the Chamber of Commerce in 1974. Since that time, he has devoted untold hours toward the betterment of Sabine Parish. He was named as an executive member of the Governor's Board of Tourism in 1974, by Gov. Edwin Edwards. Last year, he served as treasurer of the Governor's Conference on Tourism. Over the years, Mr. Carruth has coordinated the Many Christmas Parade, and was instrumental in organizing the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta, and Fisher Sawmill Days. He was the type of man who wanted to make things better for the people of Sabine Parish. Only recently, he was listed as a "mover and a shaker" in an article in the Shreveport Times, highlighting life in Sabine Parish. Perhaps one project that he was most proud of was applying for a grant to have the sawmill settlement registered as a historical monument. The application which is in its final stages, will be presented to the Louisiana Review Committee of the National Register. Travel and meeting people were important parts of life to Mr. Carruth. He delighted in spending weeks on the road, "selling" Sabine Parish to tourists and fishermen from all over the United States. To him, Sabine Parish was a land filled with natural resources and beauty. He wanted to share the land of the El Camino Real with all citizens. A certain amount of determination, combined with a great love for Sabine Parish, gave Mr. Carruth the incentive to encourage progress in industry and other aspects of life. He was a leader among men. Not only was he admired for his professional life, but also for his personal and family life. A Christian man, Mr. Carruth set a fine example for those left behind. With the untimely death of one of Sabine Parish's leading citizens, certain sadness envelopes those he loved best. There will never be another man who dedicated himself to the project of helping Sabine Parish grow like Roscoe Carruth did. His death leaves a void in the hearts of us all. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Many United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.