Stanley Carrothers Jr., a 50-year member of the Rotary Club of Elk Grove and a dedicated volunteer in the city, died on Jan. 15 following a brief illness at the age of 86.

After moving to Elk Grove in 1972, he became involved in various organizations and volunteer activities.

His son, described him as a “very behind the scenes guy,” who was eager to assist others. “He was very serious about taking responsibility that if there was something you could do to improve a situation, you were responsible for taking that action, and he lived that talk,” he said.

LeAnn Carrothers, one of his daughters, remembered her father as a giving person. “He volunteered time and donated funds and services and all sorts of things,” she said. “(He did so with the) ‘to those who much has been given, much shall be demanded’ philosophy.”

Stan served as a Board Member of and advisor to the Elk Grove Unified School District. He was on the initial board that created Methodist Hospital in South Sacramento and during his tenure, served terms as President and Chairman of the Board. His involvement included assisting the Elk Grove Community Foundation, the Strauss Festival of Elk Grove, the Elk Grove Historical Society, the Arthritis Foundation, the Sacramento Music Circus, and the Elk Grove and Florin Methodist churches. Stanley also served as a board member of, and adviser to, the Elk Grove Unified School District, and president and chairman of the Methodist Hospital board in south Sacramento. He was additionally voted in as an honorary member of the Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation. He was 50+ year member of the Rotary Club, past president and Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Foundation. He was also a grand marshal of the Elk Grove Western Festival Parade.

In the fall of 2004, he was named as Elk Grove’s 50th Citizen of the Year.

A nomination paper for the award reads: “Stanley Carrothers’ life motto is much like the movie, ‘Pay It Forward,’ portrays.” During his acceptance speech for the award, he demonstrated both his humility and humor. After noting that he was amazed to be selected for the award, he said, “But before you change your mind, I’m going to accept this award.”

Among the many people on whom he made an impression was Becky Davis, president of the Rotary Club of Elk Grove. “Stan was the pillar of what a true person should be with the idea of being loyal and caring to family and community, especially to the Rotary Club of Elk Grove,” she said. “Stan believed in the ideas of literacy for all students, as they are our future, and eradicating polio with the Polio Plus campaign in Rotary International, in support of his own brother having polio. “I saw Stan as a local historian and mentor as I complete tasks in his footsteps. I will truly miss him.” Davis added that due to his dedication to the local Rotary club, one can find his name on the club’s wall of honor at Elk Grove Regional Park. His involvement also included serving as the organization’s president in 1980 and 1981.

Elk Grove native Jon Colton fondly recalled Stan, who earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting at California State University, Sacramento, in 1957, and worked as a professional accountant, running his own private practice for about six decades.

“He is one of the finest men I’ve ever known,” he said. “As far as his character, he was honest as the day is long. He’s been my CPA for many, many years, and I would trust him with all I have. He’s been a good friend and I was (also) a good friend of Sherry – his wife who passed away a few years ago.”

Jon Colton said that he leaves behind many friends in Elk Grove. “I’m going to miss him as a friend, but miss him as part of the old guard of the Rotary Club,” he said. “He’s going to be missed by all.”