Many of you knew Carol Eames, since she touched so many lives in a positive way.
Among her many accomplishments, she was currently a TAS Director, a past TAS president, retired Tulsa Zoo education curator, Oxley volunteer, world traveler and tour leader, and founder of the Backyard Wildlife Habitat Garden Tour, and probably many other things I am not aware of. Carol passed away Thursday evening from pulmonary disease, brought on by her "successful" breast cancer treatment. While Carol had been suffering greatly in recent months, she never lost her good spirit, and stayed as involved as she was able in various activities. While we are sad to have lost her so soon, we are also happy that she is no longer suffering and is now at peace.
Services for Carol will be held Friday, May 18 at All Souls Church at 9:00 a.m. Her many friends will be decorating the church with wildflower arrangements, which she would have loved!
Here is her obituary published in the Tulsa World on 5/13/2012:
Describe a life filled with the wild adventure of the Amazon, New Zealand and the American Southwest. Describe a life surrounded by claws, fur, feathers and scales. Describe a life abundant in the love and friendship of family, companions and colleagues. Describe a woman who shared it with every soul she could. You’ve described Carol J. Eames. Carol was hatched Oct. 5, 1939 in Meadville, Pa. to Allan Ely and Anna Fawcett. As a young girl, she indulged a serious case of curiosity for the natural world. She loved exploring the fields and forests near her home. Butterflies, birds, frogs and turtles were her close friends.
Carol attended Mayfield High School near Cleveland, Ohio, graduating in 1957. Lifelong friendships were formed here. In fact, she was looking forward to her 55th reunion this summer. Carol spent a year at Southern Illinois University, before finishing her education at Kent State University. Carol married Leonard Eames in 1961. Three children soon followed, Nancy, David and Brian (Chip). The 1960s shaped Carol. Civil rights, women’s rights and Vietnam drew her to marches in Washington, D.C. She began to speak up for those on the sidelines or left behind. This fire burned in her for the rest of her life.
Carol and family moved to Tulsa, Okla. in 1971. A strong interest in animals led her to volunteer at the Tulsa Zoo. Soon, she became Education Curator, a position she held until 2000. Her love of the zoo and teaching influenced so many. Carol’s home was filled with a variety of birds, reptiles and mammals. Her heart always found room for the many orphaned and injured animals that showed up at the zoo.
Carol loved to travel and experience new places and faces. For almost 30 years, she led tour groups to many spots around the globe. Some of her favorite places include the wild ones like Chaco Canyon, Macchu Picchu, the Galapagos and Amazon. And the not-so-wild ones like Italy, Greece, Scotland and Sweden.
Closer to home, Carol had a great interest in native plant gardens and birding. She loved watching the many birds in her wild and wooly yard. Her passion for creating habitats for birds and butterflies can be seen in many places around Tulsa.
The last few years were a struggle for Carol. Breast cancer and pulmonary fibrosis were two dance partners she would not have chosen. But, she did her best to keep going. Sadly, May 10 was the last day of her journey. Tremendous love and admiration filled the space around her. The legacy of her three kids and six grandchildren (Sam, Bailey, Tyler, Jack, Taryn and Will) will carry the spirit, compassion and humanity of Carol forward.
John Kennington, May 2012