"Dear Georgia and family: I was so shocked to read that your husband/father had died so suddenly. My heartfelt sympathy and prayers go out to all of you. I realized that I had last seen Chuck in Gophers in December while I was having lunch with Mary G. and another friend of mine. You are in my thoughts and prayers and may all the memories be comfort to you. God bless you. a friend always, Pattie"
In loving memory of
Charles (Chuck) Carlson
April 28, 1939 - March 27, 2006
Charles H. Chuck Carlson, age 66 of 237 Rockwood Drive, Marquette, and Marco Island, Florida, died Monday, March 27, 2006 at Naples Community Hospital in Naples, Florida.
Chuck was born on April 28, 1939 in Ironwood, Michigan to Charles and Evelyn (Court) Carlson.
He graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood in 1957 and from Michigan Technological University in 1961.
Chuck spent 3 years in active duty in the United States Army, 10 years in the Michigan National Guard and eventually retired form the U.S. Army Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel after 30 years of service.
Mr. Carlson opened the office of Industrial Piping in Marquette in 1965 where he served as president and CEO for 30 years.
Active in his industry, he served as president of the Mechanical Contractors of Michigan, was national president of the Mechanical Contractors of America and was a professional trustee of the U.P. Plumbers and Pipefitters Fringe Benefit Funds. After retirement, Mr. Carlson was co-chairman of their national pension fund.
He served the community on the boards of Child and Family Services and the Marquette Golf Club. He was also active on the Session of the Presbyterian Church and was a former director of the First National Bank and Trust Company.
He is survived by his wife, Georgia (Racine) Carlson of Marquette; five children, Robert (Kathy) Weber of Marquette, Kevin Weber of Sand Point, ID, Kirsten (Gene) Solmos of Wilmette, IL, Melissa Carlson of Negaunee and Barry (Julie) Carlson of Arlington Heights, IL; his mother-in-law, Rose Thompson of Marquette; sister-in-law, Retha LaChance of East Lansing; brother-in-law, Robert (Judy) Racine of Naples, FL; cousins, Kathy (Don) Blainy and Chuck Flanagan; also the loves of his life, his grandchildren: Molly Weber, Catherine Solmos, Madeline Carlson, Brian Solmos, Michael Solmos, Matthew Carlson and William Solmos. Preceding him in death besides his parents was his father-in-law, Ray Racine.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 6 at 3 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church in Marquette with Dr. Lawrence Jones and Rev. James Robb officiating. Friends may call at the church beginning at 1 p.m. Thursday.
Pallbearers will be Al Kaumeheiwa, John G. Kublin, Ardi Payan, Thomas Knuff, John Weiss and Tim Zhulkie.
The family requests in lieu of flowers that memorials be directed to the First Presbyterian Church in Marquette or the American Cancer Society.
Chuck will be sadly missed.
Tributes
"Betty & I are deeply saddened to hear of Chuck's death. He will be remembered in our minds as a sincere, ethical person, a credit to our industry. We are donating 5 Gideon Memorial Bibles in Chuck's memory, will send the card to the funeral home."
"Dear Georgia, Bob, and family: I was shocked and saddened to hear of Chuck's passing and have been keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless you all in these extremely difficult times."
"Georgia, Just got back from a business trip and Bob D had e-mailed me about this unbelievable news about Chuck. Hopefully, you feel the thoughts and prayers being offered now and in the future. We too, grieve about the loss of our special family member of the Class of '57. Will call you soon."
"Dear Georgia, Clarence(Sooks) and I are so deeply saddened to hear the news of Chuck's sudden passing. We have so many wonderful memories of Chuck, espically the High School years and times spent with activities at the First Presbyterian Church in Ironwood. It was always so nice to see both of you when we were in Ironwood for visits with the whole group. Our prayers are for you and the family at such a sad time. We will miss Chuck,deeply. You have our deepest sympathy. In Christ's Love, Clarence and Alice"
"We are shocked, and sorry to hear of Check's having passed away. You have our deepest sympathy. The Rutledge's"
"Georgia and family - Anna and I are so sorry to hear of Chuck's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours."
"Please accept my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Kindest Regards, Amy Hodgins"
"Dear Georgia, Celeste and I send our deepest sympathies. Chuck was always one of our favorite MCAA presidents; he was friendly and thoughtful to us when we were the new kids on the MCAA board. We pray that God will comfort you and you family in your time of loss. Sincerely, Bob and Celeste Hammm Shreveport, LA"
"Dear Georgia: Barbara and I were saddened to hear the news of Chuck's death. Bob Duckstad was kind enough to include us in his e-mail to LLW Class of 57. We are in Spain for a month visiting our son and his family. We will make an effort to be in touch after we return to the U.S the end of this month. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time loss. Fred & Barbara Puente Granada, SPAIN"
"Georgia, Please accept my sympathies in Chuck's death. I have many good memories of Chuck and was so glad to be able to see both of you at recent class reunions. He was far too young! Ginny"
"I feel very blessed to have had the chance to meet Chuck. Listening to him talk about what it was like, what happened and what it was like for him in the present tense helped me, and many many others, quite a bit. I believe that Chuck was reasonably happy in this life and I pray that he may be supremely happy with Him forever in the next. Rest in Peace brother!"
"Georgia and Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. David & Nanci"
"I met Chuck after moving to Marquette four years ago. I have many fine memories of conversations with him at Tommy's restaurant after "Earlybird" meetings, and I know many others do also. He was a positive influence in my life, and I was privileged to know him. He was taken way too soon. I am so sorry. The thoughts of many are with you right now."
"Dear Georgia and family: Barb & I and our family extend our most heartfelt sympathies to you and your family on the loss of Chuck. As you know Chuck and I enjoyed serving with each other as National Guard Officers for a number of years and though both he & I left the Guard I enjoyed seeing him from time to time up until the time we left and spent about 12 years in Ann Arbor before retiring back to Marquette. I was pleased to see him about a year ago at the NMU Bookstore Post Office and had lunch with hime following that and some e-mail contact after that. Needless to say we shall all miss him and we regret further that we will not be able to be in attendance at his funeral itself. GOD BLESS YOU! Phil & Barb White & Family"
"Dear Family, Chuck will be missed dearly by the people he helped so much in the program. We have many fond memories of him. We will never forget his humor and smiling face. God Bless Patti and Bill Heller"
"Dear Georgia and family, You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers, I could not believe it, I was sure it was someone else or the name was wrong. All I could remember was his awesome smile and how his eyes seemed to twinkle. He always looked so happy. He made those that were around him happy too. I can just imagine how much he must have enjoyed his grandchildren. It probably was his most important position. Even though this is very difficult, I know everyone will have some good memories to keep in their hearts. May the love you knew carry you thru. God keep you in His care. With love and deepest sympathy, Jerry and Nancy Holwerda"
"Dear Georgia and family, It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dear friend Chuck. Many of our great memories of Chuck include all of you. Earl and Chuck have been best of friends ever since their freshman year in the dorm at Michigan Tech in 1957. They grew closer as Delta Sigma Phi fraternity brothers and as ROTC cadets. They both had long, part-time military careers and enjoyed comparing experiences over the years. In 1963, Chuck managed to get himself stationed at Fort Bragg, NC after returning from Korea just in time to be in our wedding. Since then we have had many visits together in Michigan, Delaware and Alexandria, VA. In addition to providing us with many laughs, Chuck offered personal advice and moral support to both of us when we needed it. We will miss him terribly and hope that each of you will keep in touch. You are in our thoughts and prayers always. We will cherish our memories of Chuck. Much love, Sylvia and Earl Seppala"
"Dearest Georgia and Family, The sad news of Chuck's death has reached us here in New Zealand. We are profoundly sorry and send you our heartfelt condolences. Sincerely, Sandra Michaels and Dennis Badaczewski"
"Dear Georgia, We extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family and wish you all inner strength at this difficult time. Although we knew Chuck but a short time we quickly concluded he was a gentleman and a fine person. It was a pleasure to know him, which when all is said and done, is about as good as one can get in this life. David Boyd & Lee Mei Leong"
"I was saddened to hear the news of Chucks passing. Although I only had the opportunity to know Chuck for a few short years, he was certainly someone who leaves an impression that lasts a lifetime. My heartfelt condolences to Georgia and the family,"