Dear Carlson Family,
On behalf of the TACAMO Navy community, please accept our sympathies and prayers of peace. A TACAMO Hall of Fame plankowner and truly the ALPHA of our mission/community, Ron was THE ROLE MODEL for so many leaders. In the 30 plus years I have known him, every story told has been preserved and re-discussed. His service and the lessons he shared will serve those who have followed him. So glad to have been able to spend some hours laughing and swapping stories with him last week. He leads a mighty group of Sailors and friends in a Heavenly squadron now. Always cherished and remembered, RON CARLSON.
May 24, 1929 - September 1, 2020
Obituary for Ronald Felix Carlson, USN (Retired)
Ronald Felix Carlson, “Ron”, 91, of Lexington Park, MD, formerly from Milton-Freewater, Oregon, passed away peacefully at his residence surrounded by his loving family on September 1st, 2020. Ron was born on May 24, 1929 to the late Felix Ivar Carlson, and Edith Mattson Carlson in Astoria, Oregon, and was the loving husband of Melba Arlene Potter Carlson whom he married on January 17, 1953 in Gretna Green Arizona. He is survived by his four children, Ronda Boyce of Castle Rock, CO, Jean Fail (Peter) of Houma, LA, Cathy Gaffney (Jerry) of Richmond, VA and Neal Carlson of Lexington Park, MD, his sister Carol Minsnger of CA, his 6 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. After Ronald graduated from Washington High in Portland Oregon, he attended Oregon State University for a few semesters before enlisting in the United States Navy in 1950 as an Aviator. Throughout his 31 years of service Ronald was awarded many honorable medals including: Three Air Medals, Navy Expert Pistol Medal, Vietnam Defense Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Antarctic Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Navy Commendation, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Expeditionary Medal, China Service Medal, Air Medal with Two Stars and Four Strike Flight Awards, Untied Nations Medal, Expert Rifle Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Seven Stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was previously stationed in NAS Agana, Guam where he was reinstated to New Orleans, LA, and Patuxent River, MD where he retired as a Commander from the United States Navy in July of 1981. Following his retirement from the United States Navy, Ron continued to be an active member of his community, he was a Past Potentate of the Boumi Shriners, a 32nd Degree of the Scottish Rite Temple, and an active member of the Elks. When he wasn’t participating in the organizations, he enjoyed traveling with his wife, and hunting. Ronald was an amazing man and will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Contributions may be made to: Shriners Hospitals for Children Processing Center, P.O. Box 863765, Orlando FL, 32886
I came to Tacamo right out of radio school. I had no idea what a Tacamo was nor did anyone else in Bainbridge Md. where I went to school. Ron soon made me love flying and that's all I wanted to do. But blackshoe radiomen had to eventually go back to the fleet. I remember telling Ron I wanted to stay with him and the squadron but was not to be.We are going to miss you, Skipper.
Smitty (Dave Smith)