Richard "Dick" William Carlson

Richard “Dick” Carlson, of Jamestown, New York, and Coral Springs, Parkland and Tequesta, Florida, passed away July 25, 2026, at Discovery Village, Boynton Beach. He is survived by his daughter Chris Shrouder (Joe) of Coconut Creek, son Richard “Chip” Carlson (Aimee) of Lantana, grandson Joshua Shrouder (Aliya) and great grandson Asher Shrouder of St. Augustine, as well as numerous loved nieces and nephews. He now joins the love of his life, Mary Agnes “Aggie.”

Born Valentine’s Day 1928 to Ragnar and Alma “Ted” Carlson, and the brother of Janice and Phyllis, he was mischievous, athletic, and fun.

The three main activities in his high-school years were delivering milk (yes, they delivered milk to individual homes daily then), sports, and Aggie. He was up before school to deliver milk in high school, and a star athlete starting in middle school and throughout and after college. He set the single game, league scoring record in the 1946-47 season while playing for the Jamestown High School Red Raiders basketball team. He was noted as the first of his time to use a “hopping one-handed push shot stance.” He pursued - or was pursued by - Aggie as early as middle school.

On December 27, 1950, he and Aggie married during Dick’s furlough from Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. With characteristics that complemented one another, their marriage was deeply rooted in love and companionship.

Dick succeeded his Dad in ownership of Hi-Wood Creamery in about 1964 which he subsequently merged with two other milk-delivery businesses to form Tri Meadow Dairy. It was one of the last remaining milk-delivery businesses in Jamestown and closed soon after the merger.

In 1968 Aggie (by then “Mary”), Dick, Chris, and Chip moved to Coral Springs, Florida; then a new city of five hundred people. Dick worked in the building industry in northwest Broward County, ultimately owning his own construction company, before becoming assistant director of Public Works for Coral Springs. He employed Chip in the business and took great joy in working with him in construction.

Dick was patient, unassuming, and caring. He was more interested in hearing what you had to say than talking about himself. Worries were never revealed. He was a steady, strong, and simple personality. He took things as they came. And like most of his generation, he knew how to live life, rather than analyzing life. He placed his family wishes and needs ahead of his own in all matters, small and large (except perhaps his love of athletics).

Most important was family. Summers in Jamestown were spent at “the lake” with extended family: croquet, cards, and boating. Every year there were trips to North Carolina in October with family and friends, which included a lot of golf, cards, and just driving around for the scenery. An avid golfer into his 80’s, he enjoyed the camaraderie at North Passage Country Club.

Mary and Dick were outgoing. Always social, always finding new friends no matter where they were, and always talking to strangers in any setting. They complimented each other and were the consummate “couple.”

Late in life Dick became the caregiver as Mary Agnes descended into dementia. He spent every day with her, and lost her in April of 2020. As was typical of him in almost all matters, he had a special talent for remembering the good and forgetting the difficulties in his caring for Mary.

Even to the end he remained a selfless gentleman.

Mary and Dick will be buried together as they were in life.

Services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Jamestown, New York, with interment at Lake View Cemetery in the Carlson family plot. A reception at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel will follow services. No flowers, no food: if desired, a donation to Alzheimer’s research in honor of Mary and Dick Carlson could be made.