Vernon Albert Carlson

Vern was born on Tuesday, October 10, 1933 at home in Minneapolis, Minnesota to his Swedish father, Lars Albert Carlson and Norwegian mother, Olillie Mathilda (Herfindahl) Carlson. Vern graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1951. He was in ROTC for two years in high school. Vern was in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corp and was schooled in aircraft maintenance and flight training. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with an associate degree in Engineering.

Vernon enlisted in the Navy (rank- Aviation Electronics Technician Second Class Petty Officer) and was stationed in Memphis, Tennessee where he met his bride to be, student nurse Vera Christine Pace, at a USO dance in December of 1955. They had their first date on New Year’s Eve 1955 and married November 23, 1956. Vern and Chris were matchmakers for other navy buddies and student nurses. The friendships they made in Memphis lasted a lifetime. They moved back to Minneapolis after Vern’s honorable discharge from active duty where he continued to serve in the Naval Reserve.

Vern and Chris had four children born in Minnesota, Debra (Carlson) Huff, 1958, David Vernon Carlson, 1959, Laurie (Carlson) Gillogly 1964, Kimberly (Carlson) Buckley 1970.

Vern worked at Honeywell in the defense division. His excitement trickled home with stories of tests and occasional explosions. Vern was proud to have contributed to NASA's Apollo program. He transitioned into the computer industry during the beginning of that room-sized computer era. He followed his jobs and moved the family to Massachusetts, Illinois, Minnesota, Arizona, and California. In 1973, he bought the Graystone family business in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, running a restaurant, remodeling apartments and business spaces. One test for a prospective son-in-law was being handed a sledge hammer and shown a cement wall to tear down. With the Graystone Vern’s inner “MacGyver" emerged. He could fix just about anything from plumbing and jewelry to toys and cars. He remodeled some homes and was the contractor and finisher of many other homes the family lived in.

Vern had an avid interest in fishing that began at the cabin that he built in high school with his father in Nisswa, Minnesota. Opening day in Minnesota always found him in a boat on a lake. He caught stringers of walleyes, northern pike, sunfish, and crappies that family and friends happily consumed.

He was the family historian, recording every event, each holiday, and trips on slides. When grandchildren came along, he switched to photos and made doubles of every print to share. The family collected many wonderful memories traveling and camping around the United States, exploring national parks, historical sites, big cities, and visiting friends and relatives.

Once grandchildren came into his life, they became his passion and joy. He taught them to fish, brought them hiking on the red rock trails of Sedona, played games, stacked blocks and built with legos for hours with them.

Vern loved music. In high school he sang a beautiful bass in his large Messiah Lutheran Church choir in Minneapolis. His mom said he made the rafters ring in the choir loft. Vern danced at every opportunity with his life long love, Christine. The grandkids danced on grandpa’s feet and sang never ending favorite songs together. Right up to the end, Dad loved keeping rhythm. In the skilled nursing home, the music therapist gave Vern an iPod and headphones with his favorite tunes. There was never a time when he was listening that he wasn’t keeping rhythm, dancing with his hands and arms, a big smile on his face and twinkle in his beautiful blue eyes.

Vernon is survived by Christine, his loving wife of 63 years, four children, Debra Huff, David Carlson, Laura (Buddy) Gillogly, Kimberly (Brian) Buckley.

Eleven grandchildren, Eric (Amanda), Brandon (Alexandra) and Trevor Huff, Drew (Cristy) and Savannah (Cameron) Carlson, Justin (Theresa) and Matthew Gillogly, Brooke, Logan, Jack and Luke Buckley.

He is survived by his sister Joyce (Wally) Crosby, niece Cheryl (Terry), and nephew Paul (Mary) Crosby.

Vern was preceded by his parents Albert and Olillie Carlson.

All are welcome to join his family at the chapel service at Eternal Hills in Oceanside, California on Tuesday, February 11, from 4-5 p.m. and at the military honors service at Mira Mar National Cemetery on Wednesday, February 12, 2020. Arrival at 9:00, ceremony at 9:30 a.m.

Vern’s family would like to warmly thank all of the caregivers, staff, and smile makers at Palomar Heights Skilled Nursing Center in Escondido.

The Carlson family would also like to thank Vern’s Manor Hospice team of staff and volunteers who provided comfort, guidance, and a few more smiles for our dad. Special thanks to Rachel and Susanne for providing Music Therapy, Nurse Anne and Nurse Mary Jane for the specialized attention, and Chaplain Terry for the regular visits. Special thanks also to Pastor Jeffery Horn, who prayed over Vern as he passed, and who will officiate the funeral service.

You gave us peace of mind when Dad needed more than we could give him.

We will always carry with us the advice Vern gave at every parting: “Remember, don’t take any wooden nickels."