Carl is survived by his wife, Barbara Irene Olive Lines Thelin; son Stephen Thelin and wife Marlene; son Roy Thelin and wife Debbie; son Peter Thelin; daughter Pamela Thelin Ethier; daughter Sandra Thelin Lane; daughter Barbara Thelin Pierce; and daughter Laura Thelin Wilkett and husband K.P.. Carl is also survived by his grandchildren Michael Thelin, Joanna Terry Sarver, Tabitha Thelin Bradford, Laura Wedelich Pointer, Jeffrey Wedelich, David Wedelich, Keith Wedelich, Ronald Youngren, David Thelin, Chris Thelin, Michelle Ethier Jonas, Lorien Ethier Holman, Theodore Ethier, Aaron Ethier, John James Trowbridge, Anastasia Pierce, Malcolm Pierce Jr., Sean Pierce, Samantha Pierce Head, Casey Wilkett, C. Alexandre Wilkett, Tamara Wilkett Stillwell and their families, including numerous great-grandchildren; as well as siblings Thomas Thelin and wife Terry; Michael Thelin and wife Patti; Karen Thelin; Andrew Thelin and wife Becky; Joseph Thelin and wife Cheryl; and Lillian Thelin Sandoval. Carl left us to be reunited with his daughter Tamera Jean Thelin, his parents, Henry Thelin and Harriet Zolinski Thelin; his brothers Edward Thelin and John Thelin; and his sons-in-law Ronald Ethier and Malcolm Pierce.
Carl lived a very full life and left a lasting legacy. After growing up and graduating from high school in Chicago, Carl joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served until retiring honorably in July 1978 in Del City, OK. During his first tour of duty in England, Carl met and married his lifetime love, Barbara Lines. Carl and Barbara went on to raise seven children all around the world, including England, Michigan, Colorado, Japan, the Philippines, and Oklahoma.
After retiring from the Air Force, Carl continued to work to support his family, eventually joining the industry-changing MCI Telecommunications. While he had long been active in church and charity efforts, in 1983 Carl completed the three-year program to be ordained a permanent deacon in the Catholic Church. He served at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Del City, OK until moving to Garland, TX with his MCI job. He then began serving at Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Richardson, TX. After a few years, Carl and Barbara returned to Oklahoma for a time, then moved back to Garland, where they remained.
Carl eventually retired from MCI WorldCom, then stepped away from the permanent diaconate after 30 years of faithful service to the church. Even in retirement, Carl continued to volunteer at Saint Paul in numerous ministries: Home & Hospital Ministry at Medical City Dallas and RCIA [Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults]. For a number of years he served as an Advocate for individuals seeking annulment through the Diocesan Tribunal.
Carl set a wonderful example of love, generosity and faithfulness to his family and all who knew him. He will be deeply missed by many.
A visitation for Carl will be held Monday, January 11, 2021 from 9:00 AM to 9:50 AM at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 720 S Floyd Road, Richardson, TX 75080. A mass of christian burial will occur Monday, January 11, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 720 S Floyd Road, Richardson, TX 75080. A graveside service will occur Monday, January 11, 2021 from 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM at Sunny Lane Cemetery, 4000 SE 29th Street, Del City, OK 73115. A burial will occur at Sunny Lane Cemetery, 4000 SE 29th Street, Del City, Oklahoma 73115.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Thelin family may be shared at www.sparkmanrichardson.com.
