Jackie ‘Jack’ Carlson
Jackie “Jack” Carlson of Personville, passed away at Baylor Scott & White in Temple on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, at the age of 82. A memorial will be held on Saturday, Aug. 18, at Jones Funeral Services Chapel at 10 a.m. with David Bates officiating.
Jack was born on June 30, 1936, to John L. and Mary Katherine (Dean) Carlson at Galena Park, Texas. In Jack’s younger years he played barefoot football, later lettering with three stripes as a center. He attended all schools at Galena Park, graduating from high school in 1956. Jack started his career with various jobs such as an electrician’s apprentice, craftsman, a machinist, tug boat operator and later an oil specialist for GATX, before finding his passion as a pipeline welder.
Jack married the love of his life, Dorothy Faye West, on June 4, 1959. They traveled together all over the United States until they settled down in Personville on the family farm with their children Carolyn, Jack and Elrose. There he taught his children his hard work ethics, as well as any niece or nephew that came to stay every summer. Jack then went to work in the oil and gas industry in Houston, which took him to several foreign countries such as Africa, France, Spain, England, Iran and Saudi Arabia. In the late 1970s he went to Alaska to work on the North Slope where he worked as a welder, receiving numerous special certifications from Amaco. He retired in the year 2000. After retirement he enjoyed taking care of the family farm, his cattle, pigeons, chickens and other farm-related animals, his favorite being his loyal canine companion, Scooter. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought a lot of joy into his life. He loved spending time with them.
Jack was a member of the Masonic Lodge while in Alaska and Groesbeck.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John L. and Mary Katherine Carlson; step-father, Thomas Elmore Taylor; his wife, Dorothy Faye Carlson; daughter, Mary Elrose Miller; grandsons, Brett Patrick Miller, Matthew Chase Crook and Jeff Davis Blair IV; son-in-law, Lee-Roy Crook; brothers, John L. Carlson, Charles Homer Carlson, Carl Augusta (Augie) Carlson; and sisters, Florence Louise Book and Ann Carolina Williams.
He is survived by a daughter, Carolyn L. Crook of Mexia; son and daughterin-law, Jack L. Carlson and Susan of Yucapia, Calif.; three grandchildren, Lauren (Luis) Reyes, Candace (Jimmy) Winstead and Bryan Miller; and four great-grandchildren, Riley and Gracie Winstead and Hallie and Kylie Reyes. He is also survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Tommy and Gail Taylor of Pollock; and sister-in-law and husband, Yvonne and Doyle Cox of Plantersville.
Please visit www.jonesfuneralservicestx.com to sign the guestbook and leave a memorial message for the family.
