Carl J. Carlson

Carl J. Carlson, 66, of Fernandina Beach, FL passed away January 16, 2021 at Baptist Medical Center. He was born in Menominee, MI to Bernard Carl Carlson and Avis Stiglitz and had one brother named Ervin Hanson.

Everyone who knew him will tell you he was never without a joke or wonderfully sick sense of humor. He fathered three children with Crystal Friedline, making countless sacrifices, from driving backwards 110 miles on a trip to retrieve his youngest daughter’s forgotten, beloved and decrepit cabbage patch doll to staying up till the wee hours, putting swing sets and telescopes together on Christmas mornings. He taught them ingenuity and determination and when life breaks your fishing pole to build a new one with a stick and some string and perhaps even wind up with the best catch of the day. 

He was highly intelligent, crafting a radio from scratch in his youth and continuing his ham radio skills into adulthood with the Amateur Radio Club. He possessed a beautiful singing voice, was the musical partner of Crystal for many years and Leader of worship and Senior Citizen ministry for over 16 yrs. He also nourished and supported passion for music in his children. 

He moved to Fernanadina Beach from Escanaba, MI 10 years ago. During this time he became a father figure to adopted daughter, Juwls Haskett, giving his special listening ear, advice and love without judgement. He worked hard and played hard; waking up at the crack of dawn with Folgers in hand, brewing his own moonshine, finding the best seafood restaurants and joyriding in his golf cart.

He is survived by his eldest daughter, Summer Carlson and son in law Matthew Koop, second daughter Danielle Carlson, son Joshua Carlson and daughter in law Kelly Cleary of Marquette, MI, and his partner, Deborah Burnsed and daughter, Juwls Haskett.

A Celebration of His Life will be held at a later date.