Jimmie Dean Carlen

Jimmie Dean Carlen “Fiddler”, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 69. He was born on June 21, 1956, in Marion, Indiana, where he grew up until his family moved to Phoenix in 1970.

He joined the United States Marine Corps on October 13, 1972, and was honorably discharged on February 25, 1977. He married Marsha Joann Hollen on March 1, 1980, and they had three children together.

Jim spent much of his life in transportation, beginning in the Marine Corps as a motor transport operator. He also worked as a mechanic and tow truck driver from a family-owned business with his father and brothers. Later in life, he felt called to serve the Lord and became an ordained minister, serving several churches and pastoring his own in Buckeye, Arizona.

While studying for his college degree, he became involved in education and worked at Arizona State University in the Pat Tillman Veterans Center, assisting veteran students. Eventually, he returned to the transportation industry, driving for FedEx Freight, where he ended his career due to his battle with cancer.

“Fiddler” was actively involved in the Vietnam Vets Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club worldwide, a passion rooted in his love for Harley-Davidsons and his honor as a Vietnam Veteran. He carried his ordained minister status into the club, serving as the State Chaplain. The family would like to thank his club brothers for their love, care, and unwavering support of Fiddler throughout his illness, always visiting and calling to check on him until the very end.

Jimmie is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marsha Joann Carlen (Hollen); his brothers, Bill Carlen and Keith Carlen; his sister, Michelle Carlen; his parents-in-law, Marshal and Shirley Hollen; and his parents, Walter Lawrence Carlen and Thelma Juanita Carlen.

He is survived by his children and their spouses: Shawn and Kayla Hyduke, stepdaughter Billie Rowe, Nicholas and Nicole Carlen, Joshua and Vanessa Carlen, and daughter Chelsea and John Overstreet. He also leaves behind his grandchildren: Elijah, Davion, Tyler, Michael, Delaney, Remington, Adelyne, Wyatt, and Eleanor; great-grandson Xayne; and his siblings: Diana Reed, Pam Matthews, Jalane Quinonez, and Walter Carlen.

Jimmie and Marsha shared 44 years of marriage filled with adventure—whether it was her riding alongside him in his truck or vacations they took together to Pebble Beach, New Orleans, or Disney World. They knew how to have fun and care for one another in their own special ways and are now reunited in heaven.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the team at Right Care Assisted Living Center and their amazing caregivers for their compassion and support in Jimmie’s final months as he completed his long, hard-fought battle with cancer.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life on Friday, August 15, at 10:00 a.m. at the Funeral Home Chapel of Greenwood Memory Lawn Mortuary & Cemetery, 719 N 27th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85009.