Obituary of Richard E. Carlson

Richard E. Carlson, 91, of 104 Robinson Ave, WE, died Saturday May 17, 2014 in WCA Hospital. He was born July 9, 1922 in Celoron, NY the son of the late Emil and Dorothy Kaufeld Carlson. Richard was a 1941 graduate of the former Celoron High School and served in the Navy during WWII. He retired as a Master Chief Bos'n Mate (E-9) after 24 years. Following retirement from the Navy, he moved back to Jamestown and worked at Crescent Tool, Jamestown Veneer and Plywood, Pri Det and Allied Alarm. Richard was a member of the Celoron United Methodist Church; Celoron/WE Senior Citizens; Lakewood Rod and Gun Club; Herman Kent Post 777 American Legion; and The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA). Richard was a former Boy Scout Leader; he enjoyed bird watching and loved animals. He was a hard worker; a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He will be missed by all that knew him as a funny, dependable friend that would give you the shirt off his back. He was proud to have served his country and loved being close to family and friends. On the Thursday before he passed, he spent the evening listening to a Bluegrass band at the Lakewood American Legion. He was active to the end. Surviving are his wife of 70 years, Shirley Strong Carlson; a son, Marc (Jacqueline) Carlson of San Clemente, CA; daughter in-law Linda Carlson of Houston, TX; nine grandchildren, Christy, Nicole, Rick, Blake, Rachel, Branden, Brent, Rebecca, and Jacob; two great grandchildren, Eric and Danny; a sister, Mary (Kaz) Watanbe of Belleview, WA; three nephew's, Kevin (Pam) Till of Jamestown; Tim and Leif Watanabe of Washington State; and a niece, Kathy (Don) Wynans of Celoron. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Richard D. Carlson; Jeffrey A. Carlson; and a sister, Lillian Till. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Heather Allport-Cohoon and Rev. Rick LaDue will officiate. Entombment will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service Wednesday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Celoron United Methodist Church PO Box 553 Celoron, NY 14720; or Alzheimer's Association of WNY, 2805 Wehrle Drive Suite 6, Williamsville, NY 14221-7380; or the American Cancer Society Memorial Processing Center 6725 Lyons Street, PO Box 7, East Syracuse, NY 13057.