JAMES M. CARLSON's Obituary
JAMES M. CARLSON, 71, of Chatsworth, CA. passed away Tuesday, November 28, 2006 at Kaiser Permanente Hospital, Woodland Hills, CA. following a brief illness. Jim was born on February 27, 1935 in Chicago, IL., son of the late Otto S. and Adele I. (Johnson) Carlson. The family moved to Baraga in 1945. After graduating from Baraga High School in 1953, he then enrolled in Michigan Tech University and received a B.S. in Physics in 1958 and a M.S. in Computer Science from West Coast University in Los Angeles in 1978. Following graduation from Michigan Tech he accepted a position with North American Aviation in California as an engineer. He enjoyed working in the aerospace industry and subsequently worked at Jet Propulsion Laboratory with the space program. He also worked as a Senior Software Systems Analyst for many companies in the Los Angeles area before “retiring”. In his retirement years Jim was a designer of children’s computer software. Jim was a kind and generous person, and loved spending time with family and friends. He loved to read and had a natural curiosity and interest in learning anything new. He enjoyed all kinds of music, and traveling all through North American, Europe and Scandinavia.
Mr. Carlson is survived by his brother, Robert (Patricia) Carlson of Beloit, WI., two sisters, Jean Baril of L’Anse and Judith Carlson of Baraga; one aunt, Ethel S. Johnson of Baraga; one uncle, Hemming (Sigrid) Kallstrom of Finland; four nieces, one nephew, five great-nieces, three great-nephews, and numerous cousins in Finland. He is also survived by his stepson Jon DeFina, step-grandchildren, Jennifer and Michael DeFina, and his ex-wife and good friend Emma DeFina. He was preceded in death by three uncles, one aunt, a niece, and a great-niece.
Funeral services for Mr. Carlson were held Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 1 p.m. a the Chapel of Oaks, Oakwood Memorial Park, Chatsworth, CA.
Local services for Mr. Carlson were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse with Judy Mattson officiating. Spring interment will take place in the Baraga Cemetery. The family received friends at the funeral chapel on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until time of the service. Following the service the family invited friends to join them for fellowship and luncheon in the Harrington Gathering room, located at the funeral home. The Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse has been entrusted with local arrangements. Mr. Carlson’s obituary may also be viewed and condolences sent to the family at www.rfsc.net.
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