John Paul Carlson

Petty Officer John Paul Carlson U.S. Navy Ret., 68, of Ft. Pierce, FL, died Monday, September 5, 2016 at home. Born on June 18, 1948 in Johnstown, PA to the late Gibson F. Carlson and Betty L. McNutt Carlson Wendel. He is survived by wife, Mary Jeanne Varin Carlson formerly of North Providence, RI; daughter, Dawn Carlson of Bayou La Batre, AL; sons, Colin (Jennifer) Carlson and Mark (Amy) Carlson, both of Chepachet, RI; six grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews; two sisters, Doris (Richard) Beegle of Hollsopple, PA and Faye (Rick) Patrick of Mechanicsburg, PA.

He served as a musician with the U.S. Navy on active duty from 1967 to 1987 and transferred to the Fleet Reserve where he retired after 30 years of service in 1997. As a percussionist, he was stationed at U.S. Armed Services School of Music, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, VA. He served tours at Argentia, Newfoundland with the U.S. Armed Forces Radio Station; North East Navy Band in Groton, CT; U.S. Forces 6th Fleet Navy Band in Naples, Italy, Northeast Navy Jazz Band, Newport, RI, and U.S. Atlantic Fleet Band, Norfolk, VA. Petty Ofc. Carlson had the opportunity to tour most of Europe, Africa, Near East, Mediterranean and Caribbean in the line of duty. He was a 1966 graduate of Jenner-Boswell-Joint High School, Boswell, PA, The Community College of RI, and Indian River State College, Ft. Pierce, FL. Petty Ofc. Carlson was a lifetime member of The Retired Enlisted Assosiation. He was an adjunct teacher in the autimotive technology program at Indian River State College.

Funeral Arrangements handled by Aycock Funeral Home, Stuart, FL. Graveside services at

South Florida National Cemetery, Lake Worth, FL.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions in his name may be sent to Treasure Coast Hospice, 5090 Dunn Road, Ft. Pierce, FL 34981.