Obituary of John Edward Carlson

John Edward Carlson No one could be more proud of where he came from, the people he lived with and loved than John Edward Carlson from McGill, Nevada. John was predeceased by father, Ned; mother, Marj; brother, Jim Joe; and his children, Charlie and Cari Carlson. John passed away peacefully on February 1, 2014, with family by his side. Growing up in the small town of McGill, John enjoyed a wonderful childhood of fishing, baseball, and scouting (Eagle Scout) and went on to attend West Point Academy, Class of 1952. He fulfilled his obligation to the United States Army by serving in Korea. John also earned a Master's Degree in Hydrology from the University of Nevada. After serving in the Army, he enjoyed a successful career with Sundt Construction, while raising his family in Tucson. John's career with Sundt was an adventure. Spanning over 40 years in the construction industry, projects that would take him around the world (and then some) included the first Sundt/Saudi joint venture to rebuilding of the U.S. Embassy in Russia. No matter what the challenge or continent, John accepted it head-on and was known as a man of tremendous principles and values that never wavered; and those were his greatest assets. Keeping with tradition, John Carlson, Jr., is currently a Sr. Vice President with Sundt, something that John, Sr., was extremely proud of. John never forgot his roots and the friends from White Pine County High School and West Point. Nicknamed "sheepherder" at West Point, his love for Nevada was known by all. He remained devoted to his beloved McGill by spending his summers there in his childhood home and enjoying the company of his extended family of aunts and cousins. The party began when John arrived for the summer. Retirement did not slow John down, as locally he was an active member of the Tucson Country Club, a Wildcat fan, and was involved with many civic organizations and boards. Additionally John continued to lend his knowledge and expertise of the construction industry as a member of the American Arbitration Association. There were simply not enough hours in John's day. John's never-ending schedule also included numerous trips with wife, Kate, to visit his beloved daughter Cami and family in London and Norway. John could not have been more proud of Cami's inherited sense of adventure and world-wide travels--and her fluency in Norwegian. John suffered the untimely loss of his other two beloved children, Cari and Charlie, who were in his thoughts daily. A devoted family man, John loved the four Carlson children with all of his heart. Surviving him is his wife, Kate; son, Johnny (Lesha) Carlson; daughter, Cami (Eirik) Frimann-Dahl; stepchildren, Linden, Renie, and Cody (Patsy) Ritchie; grandchildren, KellieAnn, Ben and Gabby Carlson, Mia and Max Frimann-Dahl; step- grandchildren, Mack and Jack Colwell, Hannah Ritchie, Julia and Kristin Ritchie, and Parker and Andrew McMurray. He is also survived by sister-in-law, Renie (Joe) Cesare; sister-in-law, Ann Carlson; niece, Lisa Carlson Marks, and Norma Carlson. To those who have known and loved John--and as his son, Johnny, has so often said-- "They broke the mold after making him.". He continues his journey in the Long Gray Line. Vaya Con Dios, dear Johnny-boy. Memorial Service to be held Monday, February 10, 2014, at 10:30 a.m., Christ Church United Methodist. In lieu of flowers, donations to Christ Church United Methodist Food Bank. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.