Corsicana’s Carroll Moran Dies

Carroll Moran of Corsicana Bedding
Carroll Moran

Carroll Moran, former longtime chief executive officer of Corsicana Mattress died suddenly on Dec. 11. He was 56. 

Moran was born in Jacksonville, Arkansas, to Gail and Harold Moran. When he was 7, the family moved to Corsicana, Texas, where his parents set up their mattress manufacturing business. Carroll, their only child, grew up in the family business, eventually dropping out of college to manage company sales — it was 1983 and he was 19. His father passed away in 1990 and Carroll and his mother ran the family business together until her retirement. Under his leadership, Corsicana grew to become one of the largest, most successful promotional bedding makers in the United States. Corsicana was sold in 2014 to private equity.

In their obituary, his family members said: “He was passionate about giving people opportunities and helping them achieve all they could in life in any way he could. He never stopped setting goals, and his ultimate goal was always to win the race.” 

In addition to be being devoted to his family, Moran was a cattle rancher who was dedicated to environmental conservation. 

Ryan Trainer, president of the International Sleep Products Association, said: “Carroll was a leader and innovator in the bedding sector who will be greatly missed. He was committed to mattress recycling, so much so that he created a recycling business to support his mattress retailers. He was also an early champion of ISPA’s efforts to form the Mattress Recycling Council. We owe Carroll a debt of gratitude for that and for his insights as we developed our own recycling programs.”

Former Corsicana manufacturing and sales management executive, Doug Guffey, now director of sales for HSM’s bedding division, spoke of Moran’s generosity, his ability to connect with others, as well as his business drive and genius.

“I was very fortunate to have met and worked for him,” Guffey said. “Many say ‘come work for us and be a part of our family,’ but few of those places really are like family. (Corsicana) truly was one of those places. Carroll gave me an opportunity I can’t ever imagine finding anywhere else.”

“He was always thinking about the business — sometimes it could drive you crazy!” he continued. “He was a visionary about promotional products. He embraced that category as a unique opportunity to provide good products and services at affordable price points. He instilled his drive and passion in all of us. Under his leadership, Corsicana grew from two plants to 11. He wanted to be nationwide.”

“He could make anyone feel at ease but wasn’t the type to tell you what you wanted to hear,” Guffey said. “He always used to say, ‘do what you say and say what you do.’ That is what he practiced. He had so many favorite catchphrases, ‘dream big,’ ‘win the race.’ We always called them Carrollisms.” 

Immediate survivors include his wife, Holly; his mother; daughters Marcey and Jackquelin; sons-in-law Paco Posada and Matt Grider; and four grandchildren.  

At the family’s request, memorial donations may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at its website, NationalMSSociety.org, or by mail to the Navarro County Youth Exposition, 321 N. 12th St., Corsicana, Texas 75110. 

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