Carroll Gribble

Joe Carroll Gribble was born July 24, 1930, in Hooker, Oklahoma, to Joe Alvin and Margaret (Zuerker) Gribble. He died on December 17, 2025, in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Services are under the direction of Henson Novak Funeral Home and will take place on December 23, 2025. Todd Singletary will preside over the graveside service at Elmhurst Cemetery at 10:30 AM and will conduct the funeral service at 11:00 AM at the First Presbyterian Church in Guymon.

Carroll attended elementary grades at Straight School and graduated from Guymon High School in 1950 as a strong student and athlete who excelled in multiple sports. Throughout his school years he worked on the family farm north of Guymon.

Carroll spent his college years at Panhandle A and M College in Goodwell where he continued to participate in sports.

He married Mary Leonene Valdez in 1953 and graduated from Panhandle in 1954.

Carroll’s coaching and teaching career began at Texhoma, Oklahoma, High School. Then the family moved to Stratford, Texas, and then to Holly, Colorado, where his team participated in the Colorado High School State Championship game.

The next move was primarily academic as Carroll earned his MS at Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado. As an assistant coach he helped the football team there win the Rocky Mountain Conference Championship.

His first college coaching and teaching job was at Huron College in South Dakota. He and his wife were also dorm parents on campus.

In 1968 the family returned to Oklahoma as Carroll joined Oscar Williams, his former coach and mentor, on the football staff at Panhandle State College. He worked with athletes in football, track, and baseball, but he also enjoyed time in the classroom teaching health and physical education courses to many students.

Carroll served Oklahoma Panhandle State University as an instructor, coach, athletic director, Director of Financial Aid, Dean of Students, and Vice-President of Student Affairs.

He was a member of the Board of Directors for the Presbyterian Children’s Home in Hugo, Oklahoma, (now Goodland Academy) and an elder with the First Presbyterian Church of Guymon.

Carroll is a member of the OPSU Ambassador Hall of Fame and the Athletic Hall of Fame. One of his proudest moments occurred when OPSU named its baseball field in his honor. He spent some happy retirement hours watching ball at The Grib.

Carroll was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Don and Dean.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Leonene, daughter Carol Lee Hopson (Dwight), son Roger Don Gribble (Angie), grandchildren Damie (Hopson) Jones (Brian), Joe Dale Gribble (Karli), Clint Gribble (Katie), Jessica (Gribble) Lloyd (Cordell) and great-grandchildren Elizabeth Jones, Colvin and Callan Gribble, Graham and Jace Gribble, Eva and Miles Lloyd, and his brother Dale Gribble along with nieces, nephews, and friends.

Those who wish to honor Carroll may do so by donating to a charity of choice or to the Panhandle State University Foundation.

Hail the Aggie Crew!