John R. Carlson

Johnny (John) R. Carlson, 77, died June 25 at his home in Anchorage.

John was born June 5, 1932 in Two Harbors, Minn., to John and Bertha (Anderson) Carlson.

He entered the Air Force immediately after graduation from Two Harbors High School. He was proud to have been a member of the 2nd Radio Squadron Mobile stationed in Darmstadt, Germany. When asked if he had any musical talent, he said it took the Air Force four years to teach him to play the radio.

He returned to Two Harbors, and married Dorothy Tastula on Jan.. 14, 1956. He worked for the DM&IR Railway, Beckman’s Garage, and the Lake County Highway Department. In 1966, the family moved to Ellensburg, Wash., where he worked for the Washington State Highway Department. He moved from there to Puyallup, Suquamish, Kingston, and Poulsbo before moving to Alaska in 1982. He worked for the municipality of Anchorage as a construction inspector, retiring in 1999.

He and Dorothy spent five years traveling the country in their RV and spent summers at Rainbow Lake near Wasilla. He was a member of VFW Post 10252, and Susitna Valley American Legion Post 35, Wasilla.

His son, Jay said, “Dad had a full life. He was a son, brother, basketball player, carpenter, radio operator, veteran, husband, Dad, railroad man, surveyor, snowmobiler, engineer, mechanic, snowplow operator, inspector, Grampa, zoning officer, motorhome driver, fisherman, Alaskan.”

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, sons, Bruce, Stevens Point, Wisc.; Jay (Cara), Hansville, Wash.; four grandchildren, Lacey and Logan, Washington; and Lily-Anna and Rosalisa, Wisconsin; brother, Wally and sister, Margaret Sande, both of Two Harbors; sister, Marie, Rockford, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his sons, Barry and Chuck; parents, step-father, Leonard Hanson; brothers, Arnold, Roy and Freddie, and sister, Evelyn LeClair.

No service is planned. Inurnment will take place at a later time in Bassett Cemetery in Brimson, Minn.

Memorials are preferred to the VFW Post 10252, 3105 Mountain View Drive, Anchorage, AK 99501.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Hasara Family and the Cremation Society of Alaska. An online guestbook can be signed at www.alaskacremation.com.