Lieutenant Colonel Carsten D. Carlson, 95, of San Marcos, CA passed away on August 31, 2015. He was known affectionately to friends as, Carl. He is survived by his wife, Betty Jo Carlson and sons, Carsten Carlson of Sun City, AZ and Samuel Carlson of Ackworth, GA., brother Charles Carlson of Sultan WA, sister Sarah Jones of Ridgecrest, CA as well as four grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
He is predeceased by his first wife Rhoda, of Tacoma, WA, his sister Margaret Geisler and brother Vernon Carlson. He was born on February 13, 1920 in Havre Montana to Charles and Celeste Carlson.
In 1931 his family moved to Vista, California. In 1937 he enlisted in the US Army. A career officer, he saw worldwide duty including WWII and Korea. Lieutenant Colonel Carlson retired from the Army in 1963. Moving to Tacoma, WA he worked for the City of Tacoma as its director of emergency services. His wife Rhoda, passed away in 1985. He married Betty Jo on March 1, 1987. They moved to California and eventually settled in San Marcos, CA where he served as a volunteer in the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department into his 90s. He will be buried with honors at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
Carl is my Grandfather, I fondly called him Bappa all my life. I couldn’t of asked for a better Grandfather. I was very blessed with having him in my life for so long, I was 45 when he passed, Most people aren’t that lucky. I truly miss him with all my heart and soul but I know I’ll see him again one day when it’s my turn.