Sept. 8, 1935 — Sept. 27, 2025
Carol Rae Tracy, 90, of Ashland, Oregon, formerly of Redding, California, passed away on Sept. 27, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
As in every other aspect of her life, our amazing mother, grandmother and great-grandmother faced her recent health challenges with self-determination, resilience and dignity.
Born Sept. 8, 1935, in Seattle, Washington, Carol was the eldest child of Byron and Frances Amsbaugh.
As a child, Carol was a voracious reader, and her love of books was a constant throughout her lifetime.
Her father’s job with the U.S. Forest Service took the young family to Spokane, Orofino, and then Pierce, Idaho.
Carol graduated from Pierce High School as class valedictorian and was active in choir, drama, basketball, yearbook, and a bit of harmless mischief on Halloween night.
She also studied piano and flute and as a Camp Fire Girl she achieved the organization’s highest recognition.
Following high school, Carol attended the University of Idaho, where she was an Alpha Phi sorority member.
She transferred to the University of Montana two years later when her parents relocated to Missoula and graduated with a degree in business.
In 1956, her father’s U.S. Forest Service connections landed Carol a summer job at the Smokejumper Base in Missoula, where she was introduced to Smokejumper Dick Tracy after being told, “wait until you see his blue eyes!”
They were married the following year.
Not much time was wasted starting a family; Shannon, Colleen and Becky were born in quick succession while living in Missoula.
In 1961 a move was made for Dick’s job to Silver City, New Mexico, and Doug was born the following year.
When Dick was promoted to Smokejumper Base Manager in 1968, the family had settled in Redding, where the youngest Tracy, Jim, was born.
Prior to Jim’s birth and after many happy years spent at home, Carol returned to the paid workforce.
Her first job was with Shasta College’s Extended Opportunity Program, which served the Native American students.
The work was rewarding, and Carol greatly admired the director, the late Vern Davis.
Carol returned to work a few years after Jim’s birth in a casual position with the Anderson Constables’ Office, which led to a temporary clerk position with the Anderson Justice Court. When a vacancy arose at the Redding Justice Court, Carol jumped at the opportunity.
Over the course of her county career she worked as a clerk, law librarian and as the first jury coordinator for Shasta County.
She retired in 1998.
Carol strongly believed in giving back to her community.
She was a Girl Scout leader, grand jury member, and volunteered at her church, the Eaton House, Habitat for Humanity, the McConnell Foundation, what was then known as Shasta County Citizens Against Racism (SCCAR), and the Northern California Veterans Cemetery.
During her “golden years” Carol was rarely idle.
In addition to her volunteer work, she took painting and foreign language classes at Shasta College and also filled her days with bridge, book clubs, and baking her much-loved cinnamon bread.
She was a talented seamstress, knitter and painter, and her beautiful artwork is treasured by her family.
Carol was also a great cook and she and Dick often hosted large (and loud) family dinners.
A very proud and attentive Grandma and Oma, she treasured the time spent with her 10 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and their families.
An interest in travel took Carol to numerous destinations in the U.S. and abroad.
She enjoyed dining out, convinced the best food could be found at restaurants with blue awnings!
She was grateful for the unexpected opportunity to live in Ashland after daughter Becky and family relocated there in 2019, and made many new friends.
Carol generously gave to her family, community, and numerous social justice and humanitarian causes.
She attended the First United Methodist Church in Redding and Trinity Church in Ashland.
Carol is preceded in death by her parents, husband Dick, son Doug, and son-in-law Todd.
She leaves behind daughters Shannon, Colleen (Richard), and Becky (Tim); son Jim (Jennie); daughter-in-law Terri; grandchildren Ashley (Ryan), Sydney (Ben), Henry (Kendal), Anna (Harrison), Jackson (Janica), Riley, Logan, Annika, Ella and Avery; and great-grandchildren Deegan, River, Crew and Nora.
Carol also leaves behind her brother Cliff and sisters-in-law Sidonia and Penny.
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