Carroll "Kay" Kessel

Carroll “Kay” Kessel, 84, of Davenport, passed away Sunday, November 24, 2024, at Mercy One Medical Center, Davenport, IA. A celebration of his life will be held from 11 am – 2 pm on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport. Cremation has been accorded and burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

Carroll Raymond Kessel was born on the family farm January 11, 1940, in Ollie, IA to Leonard and Elise (Ledger) Kessel. After growing up in Ollie together, he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Janice Terrell on June 18, 1960, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fairfield, IA.

In 1963, after working on the family farm, Carroll answered the call of his country and proudly served in the United States Army. Carroll was stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas in the 1st Armored Division as a medic, obtaining the rank of SPC 5th Class. 

After being honorably discharged from the Army, Carroll earned his degree from Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa, in Computer Programming. Carroll began his professional career at Davenport Bank and Trust Company in 1967 as a computer programmer. Learning the business rapidly and putting to use that Iowa farm boy work ethic, he eventually worked his way to become the Vice President of Data Processing. Carroll was extremely proud of the 26 plus years he spent with the bank and the many lasting relationships he built while working there. 

In 1996 Carroll started work at Quad City Bank and Trust where he was the Vice President of Item Processing. Carroll thoroughly enjoyed his work helping to grow the new bank into what it is today. After 16 years, Carroll retired from QCBT in 2012. 

Carroll was a true gentleman, devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He took great pride in his beautiful lawn, enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports, and was a long-suffering fan of the Cubs, Bears, and Iowa Hawkeyes. Carroll enjoyed his regular meet-ups with friends and former colleagues over a cup of coffee. Everyone who encountered Carroll described him as the kindest man that they have ever met. He will be sorely missed by many.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Janice; son Matt (Bria) Kessel; grandchildren Andrew Kessel, Alexandra Kessel, and Wilson Kessel, all of Centennial, CO; siblings Dwight Kessel of Muscatine, IA; Beatrice Reynolds of Panora, IA; brother-in-law Jess (Vickie) Terrell of Martinsburg, IA; sister-in-law Trilla Christner of Fairfield, IA; numerous nieces and nephews; and his dog “Bella”.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Harold, EuGene, Howard, and Clyde; sisters Isabell Rich and Marian Wonderlich. 

Online remembrances may be expressed at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.