Homer Hickam official Web site – The Dinosaur Hunter, October Sky/Rocket Boys.

Red Carroll is the father of Rocket Boy Jimmy "O'Dell" Carroll. Red was born in Coalwood WV and has lived there all his life. He has five sons and one daughter. Red worked on the tipple in Coalwood for 16 1/2 years. When the tipple was shut down in 1954, he applied for and got the job of Coalwoodąs garbage man where he worked for 33 years. He was once called Santa Claus because whatever you wanted, he could find (which came in handy sometimes, especially when the Rocket Boys needed something!).

When Red retired he kept very active, enjoying hunting, gardening, and growing his beloved dahlias. But his favorite past time was meeting new people and giving them tours of the Rocket Boys' old stomping grounds and sharing their little anecdotes. Red just got tired and passed away in 2010. He is sorely missed by all the good people of Coalwood, and especially the people who have come every year to the October Sky festival to hear his heartfelt prayers.