Obituary of George L. Carlson

George L. Carlson, 82, of 19 West Cowden Place, Jamestown passed away at 10:35 p.m. Saturday (March 6, 2010) in the Absolut Care of Westfield where he was under the care of Hospice Chautauqua County. A lifelong area resident he was born March 18, 1927 in Jamestown a son of the late Milton F. and Mabel E. Lindstrom Carlson. George was a 1945 graduate of Jamestown High School and attended the DeVry Institute. He was a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard serving during World War II where he was a radio operator aboard three ships, Perseus, Morris and Chautauqua all in the Pacific Ocean. Before his retirement in 1989, he was employed as a salesman for Sears Roebuck & Company working in the Lawn and Garden Department. He was also the parts manager for Sears before moving into a sales position. In earlier years he owned and operated his own television sales and service repair shop. He had attended the New Heights United Methodist Church and was a former member of the Ira Lou Spring Post 149 American Legion. He also was a volunteer for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. In previous years he was a Scout Master for the Boy Scout Troop 66 for eight years, a life member and past president of the Charles St School PTA, was a former Secretary for the City Television Association, the New York State Television Association and was Eastern Secretary for the National Television Service Association. He was also very active in local government circles where he served three terms as City Republican Committee Chairman and eight years as Senior Advocate for the City of Jamestown during which time he served as Chairman of the "Seniors and Lawmen Together" Council. He will be remembered as a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather who had a keen interest in bird watching and the outdoors. He personally made birdhouses and birdfeeders for many local organizations and individuals over the years. Surviving are his wife the former Gertrude E. Busch whom he married November 22, 1947, a daughter Rochelle M. (Michael) Giambrone of Jamestown, two sons George L. (Brenda) Carlson, II of Sherman, Douglas M. (Vickie) Carlson of Poolesville, MD, seven grandchildren Skye (David) Wiseman of Boston, MA, Kristine (Jason) Taubert of Chattanoogo, TN, Rhianna (Chris) Godios of Akron, OH, Cailley Carlson of Buffalo, Aislyn Carlson of Las Vegas, NV, Jason (Kristina) Carlson of Walkersville, MD, Michael (Nichole) Giambrone, III of Chattanooga, TN, and five great grandchildren Alex Taubert, Tyler Carlson, Owen Carlson, Benjamin Wiseman and Ava Carlson. He was preceded in death by a daughter in law Holly Kay Carlson who died June 9, 1994. The funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the Lind Funeral Home. Pastor Gordon Robbins will officiate. Burial will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Hospice Chautauqua County, the American Society or to a charity of one's choice.