Mr. Dwight L. Carlisle's Obituary
Dwight Lester Carlisle, Jr. of Auburn, AL passed away peacefully on January 6, 2018. He was born November 7, 1935 in Alexander City, AL. He was preceded in death by his parents, Epsey and Dwight Carlisle; his brother David Carlisle; father-in-law Charles James Beardsworth, and mother-in-law Nancy Smith Beardsworth. He is survived by his wife, Helen Baggett Carlisle; brother, Hoyt Carlisle (Alyce); children Danice Wilbanks Carlisle, Sarah Rebecca Carlisle (Nancy Collins), Meredith Carlisle McMillan (George), Jennifer Baggett Barna (James), and William Carter Baggett, III (Barbara); and grandchildren, Helen Veronica Barna, James Nicholas Barna, and Stella Kathryn Baggett.
He was raised and educated in Alexander City, AL. After graduating with a degree in textile engineering from Auburn University in 1958, Dwight worked his way up through the management ranks at Russell Corporation. He joined the company's board of directors in 1975, was named president and chief operating officer in 1982 and became president and chief executive officer in 1988. In 1991, Carlisle retired from Russell Corporation. In 2003, he was appointed to the post of State Revenue Commissioner for the State of Alabama.
Auburn University was always a very important part of Dwight Carlisle's life. He endowed a scholarship at Auburn University in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. In 1989, he was recognized as a distinguished Auburn Engineer, and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science Degree in 1995. In 2004, he was appointed to the Auburn University Board of Trustees. His other board memberships included: Aliant Bank, The Russell Hospital Board, The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, The Jule Collins Smith Museum, The Auburn Alumni Association, The Russell Bryant-Jordan Scholar Athlete Program, The Alabama Department of Archives and History.
A lifelong golfer, Dwight enjoyed memberships to Willow Point Country Club, Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club, and Moore’s Mill Country Club. He also enjoyed fly fishing, was an avid reader and a lover of Art and history.
A debilitating stroke in 2010 left him without the ability to speak or walk. With vigorous hard work through physical and speech therapies, he found an improved quality of life, not expected by health professionals. Dwight, his wife Helen, and Kinesiologist, Jessica Hutzel launched the Carlisle Enrichment Foundation, whose mission is to extend rehabilitation, fitness and exercise programs for people recovering in their homes from stroke, Parkinson's disease or other brain injuries.
Funeral Service for Mr. Dwight L. Carlisle, 82, of Auburn, Alabama, will be Friday, January 12, 2018 at 1:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church, 310 Green Street, Alexander City, AL 35010. Burial will follow at 3:30 pm in the Town Creek Cemetery, 1150 South Gay Street, Auburn, AL 36830. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 12, 2018 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at First United Methodist Church, Alexander City.
The honorary pallbearers are Charles James Beardsworth, Jr. Benjamin Buchanan, James Carlisle, Scott Howell, Richard McAdams, Larry Morris, Kenny Needham, John Russell Thomas, Carlisle Towery, Richard Robinson, Mike Smith, James L. Willis, and Gerald McGill.
Memorials may be made to The Carlisle Enrichment Foundation, 510 East Samford Avenue, Auburn, AL 36830, or The Jule Collins Smith Museum, 901 South College Street, Auburn, AL 36830.
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