Raymond Lee Carlson

Raymond Carlson, 91, of Davenport, died Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at Ridgecrest in Davenport. Cremation rites will be accorded. Private memorial services will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Maysville Fire Department. Online condolences may be left at www.rungemortuary.com

Ray was born September 15, 1921 in Aurora, NE; the son of Charles and Carrie (Johnson) Carlson. He attended the University of Nebraska.

He was united in marriage to Inez A. Schneckloth on August 23, 1942, on her parent’s (Charles and Ruth Schneckloth) farm in rural Davenport; she preceded him in death on July 21, 2010. He served as a First Lieutenant in the Army Air Corp as a navigator during WWII. He completed 35 mission combats with the 785th Bomb Squadron in Attlebridge, England. He also flew missions with the 466th Bomb group, 8th Air Force, flying missions over Europe. He was proud to serve his country and was the last surviving member of his crew.

He worked at The Arsenal, and Quad City Times in display ad sales and retired as classified ad manager. He also owned Carlson Printing Company. He enjoyed golfing, swimming and mowing grass. He had a great love for nature and his pets.

Those left to honor his memory include nephew, Jeff (Patty) Schneckloth, Cedar Rapids, IA; granddaughters: Frankie and Natalie Schneckloth, both of Iowa City, IA; nephew, Jim (Nancy) Schneckloth, Bennett, IA and great nephews, Kurt Schneckloth, Shueyville, IA and Chad Schneckloth, Wilton, IA; niece, Jill (Bruce) Burmeister, New Liberty, IA; great nephews, Shane Burmeister, Bennett, IA and Sean Burmeister, Eldridge, IA; niece Karen Kohn, Portland, OR, nephew, Alan Anderson, Geneseo, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Leora Anderson, Edna Baldwin and Kenneth, Lyle and Herb Carlson.